Lula Jeanette Rouse, 84, of Albion, died peacefully in the company of family at her home at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Born on September 29, 1938, in Converse, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Nettie (Shively) Harding. She began school in Fort Wayne, and then the family moved to Tucson, AZ, where she attended high school. She later earned her GED and completed nurse training at Ivy Tech, Fort Wayne, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

On October 18, 1986, she married William B. Rouse. They have always made their home in rural Albion.

She worked as an LPN at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Warsaw for many years and over four years with Miller's Merry Manor in Columbia City.

She shared a passion for fishing with her husband and liked to fish the area lakes.  At home, she enjoyed crocheting, and anytime was right for listening to music of most genres of her era. She was a faithful member of the Wolf Lake United Methodist Church until her health prevented her attending.

Surviving is her loving husband of 36 years, Bill; children Robert (Marlene) Addison of Columbia City and Jane (Jack Meyer) Cole of Payne, OH; stepchildren, Jeffery (Maureen) Rouse of Tacoma, WA, Phyllis (Harold) Rice of Port Allen, LA, Paul Rouse of Fort Wayne, Dennis Rouse, Joseph Rouse of Fort Wayne, James Rouse of Columbia City; eight grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joan Radabaugh of Fort Wayne.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Mark Kramer; a daughter, Kellie King; and a brother, Arthur Harding.

The funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the Thorn Cemetery near Ormas. Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Jeanette's honor are to the Wolf Lake United Methodist Church.

This service will be live-streamed through our Facebook page.