Valoise Mertie Rouse

Valoise (Val) Mertie Rouse, age 95, of Green Acres, Ionia and formerly of Ann Arbor, Michigan died on October 15, 2024. Valoise was born on January 28, 1929 to the late Pearl and George Underwood in Royal Oak, Michigan.

She attended schools in Royal Oak and spent all of her summers at the family cottage on Lake Oakland in Waterford, Michigan. It was there she met Eldon Rouse and proved him wrong by swimming across the lake that later turned into a 50 year marriage. They were married at the Methodist Church in Clarkston, Michigan in 1949. Valoise and Eldon lived in Lake Odessa, Petersburg, Berkley and Ann Arbor. In 1982, they retired and moved north to Central Lake, Michigan. Their winters were spent in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It was there Eldon died in 2000.

Growing up, Valoise was a talented pianist learning to play on a paper keyboard. She was an excellent baker and family dinners always included a special dessert. Over the years, Valoise kept up with Michigan and Michigan State basketball and football, knowing rosters, schedules and records, but her biggest joy was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Valoise and Eldon raised five children. Surviving are: children, Michael (Lynn) Rouse of Granger, Indiana, Susan Zell of Traverse City, Mark (Usavadee) Rouse of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Kristine (David) Galaviz of Lake Odessa, and Kathryn (Mitchell) Musser of Clinton; granddaughters Andrea (Matt) DeMonbrun and Kaitlyn Rouse; grandsons Derek (Cassie) Zell, Joseph (Allyson) Masinick, Nicholas (Sasha) Masinick and Jacob Masinick; great-grandchildren Maddie and Charlotte Zell, Mila, Nora, Eli, and Jude DeMonbrun, Elizabeth, Quinton, John, and Matthew Masinick, and Thomas Masinick.

Valoise was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, three sisters, son-in-law Donald Zell, and grandson, Carlos Galaviz.

Cremation has taken place and a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations "In Memory of Valoise Rouse" may be made to the American Heart Association, 3940 Peninsular Drive, SE, Suite 180, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546.