Anne Esther Rousseau

Anne Esther Rousseau, loved and cherished by her family as “Annie,” went to be with the Lord on September 15, 2025, at the age of 76 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Born on October 10, 1948, Anne was the second of five spirited daughters raised in Ferguson, Missouri, by Birger and Elizabeth Dokmo. With so much life and personality under one roof, the Dokmo home at 424 Chanslor Drive overflowed with laughter, activity, and conversation. Friends and neighbors were drawn in by the warmth, love, and fun that defined their home.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents and her eldest sister, Kathy Paur. She is survived by her beloved sisters: Mary Rousseau (preceded in death by “Babe” Rousseau), Sandy (Mark) Mobley, Sally (Barry) Bruns, and brother in law, Terry Paur.

Anne graduated from McCluer High School – part of a class of 1,100 – where her vibrant spirit was known and loved by all. Anne was beautiful in every way. Her laugh was contagious, her presence magnetic, and everyone wanted to be her friend. She attended Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin and the University of Missouri in Columbia before beginning the next chapter of her life: marriage and motherhood.

Starting in St. Louis, to Chicago, then Minneapolis, and back to St. Louis, Anne’s deep purpose throughout life was family and raising her children, Michelle and Jon. She poured her heart and soul into their growth – reading for hours, nurturing their skills through games, and loving every moment. She was truly a homemaker in every sense of the word: excelling at dinnertime, planting flowers, creating and keeping family traditions, teaching Martha Rounds exercise classes, and even finding joy in cleaning. Anne enjoyed both studying and teaching the Bible. She was an excellent writer, keenly intelligent, and her attention to detail made her an expert organizer. She is survived by her former husband, Joe Rousseau (Marcee Nelson), and her children Michelle (Mike) Butler and Jon (Margaret) Rousseau.

Anne’s heart was most fully expressed in her role as “Grannie Annie.” She adored her grandchildren: Joseph Butler, Natalie Butler, Anna (Kyle) Pierce, Jack Rousseau, Sophie Rousseau, Madeleine Rousseau, Philip Rousseau, and Matthew (“Gus”) Rousseau. She made birthdays and Christmas time magical – filled with thoughtful gifts, homemade cards, and joyful surprises. Anne read to her grandchildren for hours, baked cookies regularly, hosted pool days at her condo, and turned ordinary moments into fun memories. She planned everything with care and often said, “It’s the little things.” Anne was the definition of unconditional love.

Anne had a rare and beautiful way of making others feel seen. Genuinely curious and interested, she made friends with anyone and liked to ask questions. She skipped surface-level talk and dove straight into your story. Her conversations were personal, heartfelt, and full of listening. Time spent with Anne left you feeling truly known and appreciated.

At age 59, Anne suffered a stroke. But in true Annie fashion, she met those challenges with strength and determination. For the next 12 years, she lived with independence and true spirit at her Field Pointe condo off of Olive Boulevard, cooking, hosting, and staying closely connected to her loved ones. Anne spent many days reading her Bible, memorizing Scripture, and listening to Focus on the Family and Bott Christian Radio. Her Bose CD player could be heard playing her favorite artists, especially Michael W. Smith and Barry Manilow. Anne loved to shop, particularly for jewelry, accessories, and anything pink. Her condo was filled with meaningful pieces, each with a story, as well as hearts, flowers, beautifully framed photos of her family, and lamps to light up the rooms.

When independent living became more challenging, she spent the last five years of her life at Garden View Senior Living, where she was often found in deep conversation, sitting in the courtyard or great room visiting family and new friends, all with beautiful grace while still building relationships. Every night, she read the verse that lay by her bed: “I have called you by name, you are Mine.” — Isaiah 43:1

Anne never owned a computer or cell phone, never sent an email or a text, and rarely watched TV. Anne sought depth, wisdom, and human interaction. She had a way of cutting through the noise of life with clarity and her deep faith. She always said that “love is an action word.”

Anne loved her parents deeply and will be laid to rest next to them at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church, 15037 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO. A private family burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) - an organization that nurtured Anne’s deep love for God’s Word.

Anne will be loved and remembered every day and forever as “Grannie Annie,” an amazing mother and grandmother, a servant of Christ, and a woman who poured her heart into knowing and loving others. Her legacy is one of joy, determination, and unshakable faith. When we think of Anne, we simply think of love, and know that she is in her place in Heaven.

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