Ruth C. Rousseau

Ruth Carol (Winje) Rousseau, 99, of Port Charlotte, FL, died on March 18, 2023 after a short illness.

Ruth was born on August 11, 1923 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She led a long and full life: growing up during the Roaring 20s, followed by the Great Depression, and coming of age during World War II. During and after the war, she worked at the American Harvester Company in Fort Wayne. In 1952 she decided to move to Washington, D.C. and take a secretarial job at the Navy Department. At this time she also volunteered with the Red Cross as a “Gray Lady.” She met her husband, U.S. Army SFC James C. Rousseau, Jr. at a USO dance “even though neither one of us could dance.” They married on April 25, 1959, and in November of that year, moved to Heidelberg, Germany, where her husband was stationed. During that time, she enjoyed traveling through France, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands. After a short assignment in Huntsville, Alabama, the Rousseaus settled in Alexandria, Virginia in 1963, where her husband finished his Army career followed by a civilian career at the Pentagon until retirement in 1985. They spent their retirement years together in Port Charlotte, FL, until Mr. Rousseau passed in 2011.

Ruth loved attending musical theater and the symphony. She was also an avid swimmer and was active in Messiah Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA. In her later years, she loved attending church and watching old movies, Lawrence Welk, and PBS on TV. She also enjoyed playing cards, dominoes, and bingo at the Oak Hollow Rec Center, and with her friends at Village Place Assisted Living Facility.

Survivors include son, James C. Rousseau III (Esther), of Evans, GA., daughter Carol A. Rousseau, of Union City, CA., grandson, James C. Rousseau IV., of Evans, GA., sisters Aimee M. Broxen and Karen A. Young, of Fort Wayne, IN., and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, father, Severt W. Winje, mother, Louise C. Winje, sisters Dorothy L. Bauss, Edel A. Berberi, Marie E. Laughlin, Esther A. York, and Janet L. Jauch.

Services and burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Red Cross, Indiana University/Purdue University Fort Wayne extension (IUPU), and The College of William & Mary.