Anna Rose (Meyer) Rouse

Anna Rose Rouse, age 92, of Berger, MO, passed away Friday, October 14, 2022 at her home.
 
Anna was born in Berger, MO on April 5, 1930, the daughter of the late Pete and Lorene Meyer.
 
She was united in marriage to James O. Rouse, Jr. on June 1, 1950, at St. Paul's Church, Berger, MO.   James preceded her in death on June 9, 2014. 

She was also preceded in death by sisters, Marie Groner, Rita Weber, and Terry Jones; and brothers, Peter J. Meyer and Father Gasper, and her granddaughter, Annie Rodriguez, who preceded her in death on October 5, 2009.
 
Anna was a member of St. Paul's Church, Berger.
 
Anna is survived by a daughter, Patty Stoddard & husband Richard, of Reno, Nevada, a daughter, Cathy Finnie & husband Bruce, of Costa Mesa, California, a daughter, Susie Horn & husband Mark, of Altadena, California, a son, Michael Rouse & wife Greta, of Todos Santos, Mexico, a son, John Rouse & wife Kay of Duarte, California, a daughter, Frances Rouse, of Berger, a daughter, Christine Roehl & husband Allen, of Port Angeles, Washington, a daughter, Rebecca Aldrich of Hermann, a daughter, Sara Lefebvre & husband Bill Bitter, of Ballwin, Missouri, a son, Peter Rouse & companion Paula Montez, of Los Angeles, California, a son, Phillip Earle-Rouse & wife Jolly, of Arcata, California and a daughter, Rose Larsen of Rancho Cucamonga, California, by 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Anna worked all her life. When she finished 8th grade her parents told her she could only continue with school if she was going to be a nun, a nurse, or a teacher. Anna would have none of that! Instead, she started out as a nanny, worked at the hat factory in Berger, the dime store in Hermann, and various other jobs until she became the Share-A-Home Coordinator for the Pasadena Senior Center. She matched seniors needing home assistance with people who needed a place to live. 

Anna was an amazing mother and grandmother. She reared 12 children, often by herself when her husband Jim was working away from home on the Santa Fe Railroad.  When any of her children said they couldn’t do something, she would always reply that “Can’t means you don’t want to.” 

She loved to crochet, sew, and work outside in the yard. She coached her daughters’ softball and soccer teams. She was a top bowler, competing in the Pasadena Senior Games and the Missouri Senior Olympics. One of her proudest moments was being awarded a medal by Olympian Rafer Johnson. She loved to sing and play the piano. She sang in the choir that performed for Pope John Paul II at Dodger Stadium in 1987. She did the daily crossword, jumble, and Sudoku puzzles with her morning coffee until dementia took away that ability. She was a wonderful cook, noted for her homemade bread, fried dough, and fried chicken. 

She inspired everyone by her strength of will, faith, and love. But most of all, she had an amazing smile. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 19th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann.

A funeral mass will be held Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Church, Berger, with Father John Deken officiating.  

Burial will be at St. Paul's Cemetery.  Memorials may be given to St. Paul's Ladies Sodality.