Marshall Rousseau

passed away peacefully at his home in Blue Lake, CA August 13, 2011, at the age of 92. He was born April 19, 1919 to Robert and Marion Shaw Rousseau. The Shaws were homesteaders in the Iaqua area circa 1867, while the Rousseau's were among the French who immigrated to Blue Lake in 1889. Marshall lived on the Kneeland ranch until 1925 when he moved to Blue Lake with his grandmother, Julia Rousseau. He lost his right arm in the folding machine of the Blue Lake Advocate, a weekly newspaper, when he was six years old. He made a penny a day and 25 cents on Fridays. This was his first job. Marshall attended Blue Lake Elementary and Arcata High School. He graduated from HSU in 1946. During WWII he worked as a crew foreman for the Calif. Division of Forestry. His working career continued at Grizzly Park Lumber Mill in Blue Lake, where he did what nobody else wanted to do. The mill sent lumber by rail to New York where it was pre-fabbed for houses that built Leavitt Town. Two pre-fab houses were sent back to Blue Lake and are located at 330 and 340 I Street. For about the next 10 or so years, Marshall worked with Oscar Larson & Associates, Rodiscraft Lumber, Carolina Cal Lumber Co., and later 'The Four', Pete Joos, George Unsold, Old George Gentry and Marshall cruised timber for John Miles on the Arcata Redwood holdings of the soon to be Redwood National Park in Orick. He was invited by then President Nixon to attend the dedication of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. (along with all the other mayors) For the next 25 years he was a free lance timber cruiser for anyone who would pay! He was a member of California Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters and the Calif. Licensed Foresters, RPF #108. After his graduation from HSU he married Jean Hardwick, his college sweetheart. Together they raised 6 children, constructed Mobile Home Parks, Evergreen and later with son, Robert and daughter-in-law, Jannyce built Willows. Marshall was a member of the Blue Lake Fire Department and served as Fire Chief in 1951. He was also a member of the Blue Lake City Council and served as mayor in 1966. Marshall was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean, of 64 years, parents Robert and Marion Rousseau, brothers Henri and Raymond Rousseau and granddaughter Olivia Bird. He is survived by his daughters; Marsha Jeffries (James) of Fort Bragg, Julie Abrahamsen (Al) of Eureka, Janell (Bird) Smith (Gary) of Chico, Lisa (Farley) Loomer (Richard) of Folsom; sons Robert Rousseau (Jannyce) of Blue Lake, Ty Rousseau (Candace) of Roseville; his grandchildren Craig Jeffries (Denise) of Pleasanton, Carrie (Jeffries) Scott (Eric) of Fontana, Alfred Abrahamsen (Amanda) of Coos Bay, OR, Adam Abrahamsen of Santa Barbara, Trevor Bird of Vacaville, Spencer Bird of Jackson Hole , WY, Stacie (Farley) Nieves (Oscar) of Sacramento, Stephanie Farley of Sacramento, Lynsey (Rousseau) Froisland (Aron) of Blue Lake, Ryan Rousseau and fianc‚e, Alicia Johnson of Blue Lake, Jeffery, Erica and Bradley Rousseau all of Roseville; his great grandchildren Grace and Luke Jeffries, Avery, Naomi, Chloe and Uriah Scott, Clarissa Abrahamsen, Kieran, Tristan and Isaac Nieves. His beloved sister-in-law Robin Rousseau of Blue Lake and nephews Leland and Vernon Rousseau of Blue Lake and Lenard Rousseau (Myrna) of Kneeland and grandnephews Marshall and Dalynn. Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Irvine and his staff (Linda and Debbie). We would like to say a special thank you to the following folks for taking such grand care of our Dad. Stacey, Jaun and Laurie. We will all miss this amazing man. He will forever be remembered by us for his devotion and unwavering strength in times of need. We were blessed to have him as our father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He showed us how to live! Services will be held at Paul's Chapel in Arcata, August 20th at 1--o'clock. Pall bearers are grandsons Craig, Alfred, Adam, Spencer, Ryan, Jeffery and Bradley. Honorary pall bearers are George Unsold, Don Bushnell, Freddy Green, Young George Gentry, Bill Kliner, Bill Solinsky. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to your favorite charity. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.