Rebecca Mari Rothfuss

Rebecca (Becci) Mari Rothfuss, age 58, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away on April 20, 2023 at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas, after a short battle with cancer. Becci was born to Donald & Ruth (Sandoz) Rothfuss on July 8, 1964 in Phillipsburg, Kansas. She grew up in the Kansas towns of Ottawa, Topeka, and Manhattan, where she graduated with honors from high school. She also graduated with honors with her bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, obtained her Master's degree from Oklahoma State University, and her PhD from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas. Becci served as Resident Director/coordinator of Student Development at her alma mater, Oklahoma Wesleyan University for 6 years. She then accepted a position at John Brown University as Associate Dean of students/director of leadership and student activities, and later joined the faculty at JBU as associate professor of leadership studies. While at JBU, she designed and developed the Leadership Scholar Institute program. She led that program for 14 years, mentoring and teaching hundreds of students in key leadership skills. For many years she also served at JBU's international studies program in Ireland. Growing up in a pastor's home, she was introduced to her Savior, Jesus Christ, at a young age and continued to minister Christ's love in a multiple of roles throughout her lifetime.
Becci was well-known for her great gourmet cooking and hospitality, as well as artistic decorating shown in her lovely home. Hardly a week went by but what she hosted guests for a meal. Her pies were legendary. She loved to work with flowers and owned a florist shop for a few years after college. She prepared the floral arrangements for dozens of weddings, including most of her ten nieces and many friends. Becci never married and had no biological children, but in the greater sense, she served as mother to hundreds of students on the campuses she served and was a mentor to many. She also became like a second mother to all her nieces & nephews.
She is survived by her sisters, Marcia DePriest and husband David of Ottawa, Kansas; Linda Radaker and husband Greg of Dewey, Oklahoma; Patty Leach of Dewey, OK; and one brother Eugene Rothfuss and wife Joy of Independence, Missouri. Becci's nieces & nephews include Dr. Kirk (Kate) DePriest, Lara (Paul Douglas) DePriest, Katie (Robert) Wright, Kristen (Luke) Sheafer, Kyla (Christopher) Radaker-James, Karissa (Channing) Marvin, Wende (Tyler) Cassabaum, Cyndi (Andrew) Myers, Mysti (Garret) Mayse, Joey (Jen) Leach, J'llyssa Baker, and Jade Leach.
Memorial funds will be established to support scholarships for family & friends through the Sandoz legacy scholarship fund and a general leadership scholarship fund to be established in Becci's memory. Donations may be given through Marcia DePriest, executor of the estate, at 703 S Cedar, Ottawa, Kansas 66067; marciadepriest1@gmail.com.
Celebration of Life services for Rebecca Rothfuss will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the John Brown University Cathedral in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Here's the link to the Celebration of Becci's Life event to be shared. https://fb.me/e/4gs6N5U0n