Lenora Viola Rouse (a.k.a. Sitty, Aunt Syd, Sit, Sitty baby) age 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 21, 2024 surrounded by her family at the Amery Memory Care Facility in Amery WI.

Lenora was born on July 29, 1937 at her family home in Earl, WI to her parents Morris and Viola Anderson.

She attended the Fairview School (one room schoolhouse) until 8th grade and then she proceeded to enter Spooner High School, which she proudly graduated in 1955. For many years, Lenora would serve on the SHS 1955 reunion committee as the treasurer helping to organize and enjoy many reunions with her classmates.

Lenora married Kenneth Rouse of Three Rivers Michigan on January 22, 1959. After a brief stay in Arcadia WI, they returned to Spooner to raise a family and spend 65 years together.

Lenora held many clerical and accounting jobs with Globe and Thorp Financial, H&R Block, Indianhead Credit Union as well as being a US Census taker. Lenora and Ken traveled extensively across the U.S., along with trips to Canada and Mexico. They enjoyed snowmobiling, cross country skiing, camping and fishing trips with family and friends. Many a bluegill was fried annually at Myrtle Lake in Orr, MN where Lenora’s competitive spirit showed as she loved to out fish her campmates, catching the biggest and/or most fish!

Lenora was extremely creative and talented as she enjoyed gardening, canning, ceramics, crocheting, knitting, sewing and woodworking; she sold many of her woodcrafts at local holiday bazaars. Lenora was interested in genealogy and spent many hours researching her family’s ancestry.   

Family came first for Lenora and she showed her love by cooking for family and whoever else happened to stop in. For over 35 years she hosted Thanksgiving feasts for up to 86 members of her extensive family. She loved to play games and cards with whoever was available and she always kept a book of Hoyle handy in case her rules were questioned. During her later years Lenora enjoyed going on casino trips with her husband and more often than not she would win enough to cover his losses!

Lenora is survived by her husband, Ken; two daughters, Kathy (Terry) McNitt of Spooner WI and Brenda (Tom) Dylla of New Richmond WI; five grandchildren, Chad (Heidi) McNitt, Kristy (Ken) Gillette, Max, Troye and Maddie Dylla; three great-grandchildren, Macey, Jack and Kailyn McNitt; one step-grandchild, Kameryn Ruder; one sister, Nancy (Mike) Ray; Sisters-in-law, Joanne Anderson and Carol Anderson along with many nieces and nephews.

Lenora was proceeded in death by her parents, Morris and Viola Anderson; her son Kurt Rouse; sister Charlotte Campbell; brothers Ken Anderson and Frank Anderson; step grandchildren Kevin McNitt and Karen (McNitt) Ruder.

A celebration of life for Lenora will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday February 2, 2024 at Bratley-Nelson Funeral home in Spooner. A private interment will be held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery.

Last Update: Jan 28, 2024 1:32 pm CST