In Loving Memory of Veronica Lee Jelusich Rouse, M.D.

November 11, 1945 – October 24, 2026

Some people seem to have more hours in the day than the rest of us. Veronica Lee Jelusich Rouse, known to most as “Roni”, was one of those people. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, physician, and friend, she lived with boundless energy, generosity, humor, and love. Her friends called her “Superwoman.” To her family, she was simply “Inie.”

Born in Gary, Indiana, to Eve (Wuckovich) and Steve Rory Jelusich, Roni was proudly Croatian, and determined from an early age. At Lew Wallace High School, she singlehandedly produced the Daily Bulletin, including mischievous April Fools’ editions that foreshadowed a lifetime of elaborate practical jokes.

After training as an X-ray technician, Roni decided she wanted to interpret medical images rather than simply capture them. While working and attending Indiana University, she pursued admission to medical school with her characteristic persistence. Her letters to the admissions committee became family legend, especially the one asking, “I am almost out of stamps. Do I need to buy more?”

In 1972, Roni married Richard G. Rouse, beginning a loving marriage of 54 years. She transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and completed her residency in diagnostic radiology while welcoming three children in four years. The family moved to San Antonio in 1981, where their fourth child was born. Roni enjoyed a distinguished career as a radiologist, but her greatest joy always was her family.

To her children, Roni was everything. She coached her sons’ sports teams, participated enthusiastically in her daughters’ activities, and somehow found time for every game, performance, celebration, and milestone. She was their biggest supporter and fiercest advocate. Their friends adored her, and many considered her a second mother. Her home was always welcoming, full of laughter, wonderful food, and people who knew they belonged.

Roni loved a celebration and made every occasion special. Her beautifully decorated sugar cookies became legendary family treasures, each made with extraordinary patience and love. She approached holidays with enthusiasm, creativity, and an endless supply of ideas.

No holiday, however, inspired her quite like April Fools’ Day. Roni once arranged for her own car to disappear just to convince her children it had been stolen. Another year, she created a convincing Division I athletic scholarship offer letter for her son, hiding “April Fools” in the watermark. Her pranks were elaborate, carefully planned, and absolutely unforgettable.

Some of her happiest times were spent at Lake Buchanan with her family and beloved dogs. Whether enjoying the water, preparing a feast, or simply gathering everyone together, Roni had a gift for turning ordinary moments into cherished memories.

Her eleven grandchildren were among her greatest delights. She showered them with affection, gifts, attention, and her famous cookies. Each grandchild knew how deeply Inie loved them.

Diagnosed with thyroid cancer in April 2006, Roni faced more than two decades of illness with extraordinary courage. With the care of Steven Sherman, M.D., and the team at MD Anderson Cancer Center, she continued celebrating holidays, loving her family, and making memories. Even as the disease progressed, her spirit remained strong. She never, ever gave up.

Roni is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard G. Rouse; their children and spouses, Patricia (Santos) Vargas, Katherine (Ryan) David, Steven (Lindsay) Rouse, and Patrick (Claire) Rouse; and grandchildren Laura, Santos, Lucia, Claudia, Thomas, Jack, Barrett, Lucie, Preston, Caroline, and Cooper. She also is survived by her brother, Peter (Celynn) Jay; sisters, Judith (Edwin) Hanson and Dr. Susan (Dr. Craig) Wardrip; sisters-in-law, Maribeth Sears, Katherine (Dr. James) Incalcaterra, Barbara (Michael) Kujawa, and Dr. Mary D. Rouse; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eve and Steve Jelusich; her parents-in-law, Marianne and Richard J. Rouse; her brothers-in-law, Norman Sears and Dr. Thomas Rouse; and cherished canine companions, including Taffy.

Roni made life brighter, celebrations bigger, and everyone around her feel loved. She was our Inie, and we will miss her beyond words.

She was the best.

The family expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Sherman and the staff of MD Anderson Cancer Center, who took the time to get to know Roni and who let her get to know them, and to Lily Garcia and Patricia Briseño who provided skilled and compassionate care during the last weeks of her life.

SERVICES

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (speakers at 6:30 p.m. and Rosary at 7:00 p.m.) at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78232.

Livestreaming link for Thursday, November 5, 2026 beginning at 6:30pm for speakers followed by the Rosary:

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26107775332434

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1602 Thousand Oaks Dr., San Antonio, TX 78232, with a reception to follow. Her sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters.

Livestreaming link for Thursday, November 6, 2026 beginning at 10:30 a.m. for Mass.

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c2610107705878

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, designated for thyroid cancer research, in memory of Veronica L. Rouse, M.D. Contributions may be made online at MDAnderson.org/Gifts or mailed to: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Attn: Development Office

P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486. (Please indicate that the donation is in memory of Veronica L. Rouse, M.D., and intended to support thyroid cancer research.).

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Roni's Life Summary

In Loving Memory of Veronica Lee Jelusich Rouse, M.D.

A Life Well Lived

November 11, 1945 – October 24, 2026

November 11, 1945 was a dry, crisp, fall Sunday (the first Armistice Day following the end of World War II). Veronica Lee Jelusich was born to Eve (Wuckovich) and Steve Rory Jelusich. She was 100% Croation. Her mother taught her to cook and bake. However, with cooking shows, books and magazines, she carried it much further. She has baked and decorated thousands of “sugar cookies” but only for family birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and special events. You could not pay her enough to bake for others. It is the cookie decorating that is the issue.

Her father introduced her to “radiology.” By looking through a 1950’s View Master each of 4 children had a few seconds to remember and then answer questions of what was in the picture. Thus began her training in radiology. At St. Joseph the Worker school, Roni was introduced to the “nuns.” They were a tough bunch. One of them slept in the classroom in her chair after lunch with the classroom door locked. At Lew Wallace High School, she was on the staff of the DAILY BULLETIN. Actually, it was a staff of one, Roni. She collected all the events and announcements of that day, typed it, edited it and mimeographed it (complete with the smell of alcohol-based duplicating fluid), and then distributed it to all teachers and staff. Her best day was April Fools Day when it could be read only if held up to a bright light. Christmas of course she printed in red or green rather than the standard blue color. She had fun.

After high school she was encouraged to go to x-ray tech school. She did this but part of the training involved riding the South Shore & South Bend RR from Gary to Chicago and walking between doctor offices on Michigan Avenue. Even more challenging was to transfer and go north to Children’s Memorial Hospital. She never, never gave up. Even the night of the accident at Blaw Knox steel mill in East Chicago. She was the only (student) x-ray tech in the hospital when the casualties rolled in needing x-rays. She never, never gave up.

After x-ray tech school, Roni worked at the Gary Clinic. One day she told Dr. Eugene Leman, “I would like to “read” those x-rays (recall the View Master). He told her, “Well go to medical school.” But first, she would have to go to college. She never, never gave up. She went to IU Northwest (working the entire time at the Gary Clinic and IU Bloomington and applied to IU Medical School. In the late 60’s many medical schools only accepted females as 10% of the class. She never, never gave up. For months in the Spring of 1971 she wrote the Admissions Committee daily for her to be accepted including the famous “I am almost out of stamps, do I need to buy more” letter. She never, never gave up. And was accepted to medical school.

She married Richard Rouse in May of 1972. He wanted to go to The University of Alabama for Cardiothoracic Surgery training. Roni could “transfer” to their medical school. But there was a problem: She was told no one had ever done that before. She never, never gave up. The day Richard was accepted into their surgery program; Roni was accepted into their medical school and subsequently their Radiology program. The program director, Dr. David Witten, was not pleased that Roni then had 3 children in 4 years, which required some juggling of the training program. She never, never gave up.

In 1981, the growing family moved to San Antonio. Life continued with 4 children and a radiology job. Arguably she has read a million x-rays over more than 40 years. (recall the View Master). She never, never gave up. In the early days, the medical profession was mostly dominated by men. This has gradually changed, and she never, never gave up.

The indominable desire of the parents to become physicians was NOT inherited by their children who all 4 became attorneys. Still, she never, never gave up. The eleven grandchildren must now find their own way, but they each have an excellent start, if they never, never give up.

Recall:

Winston Churchill (1941)

Speech at Harrow School

“Never give in—never, never, never, never, except to convictions of honour and good sense.”

Jim Valvano (1993)

Basketball coach, speech at the ESPY Awards:

“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein is often quoted as saying:

“Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.”

Persons of Veronica Lee Jelusich Rouse’s life:

Richard G. Rouse, M.D. husband

Patricia (Santos) Vargas, J.D. (Laura, Santos and Lucia)

Katherine (Ryan) David, J.D. (Claudia and Thomas)

Steven (Lindsay) Rouse, J.D. (Jack, Barrett and Lucie)

J. Patrick (Claire) Rouse, J.D. (J. Preston, Caroline and Cooper)

Eve and Steve Jelusich (both deceased)

Marianne and Richard J. Rouse (both deceased)

Peter (Celynn) Jay, brother (Rory and Jocelynn)

Judith and Edwin Hanson, sister (Monica and Dinah, J.D.)

Dr. Susan and Dr. Craig Wardrip, sister (Dr. Jean, Thomas and Rebecca)

Maribeth and Norman (deceased) Sears (Andrew, and Mark)

Kathy and Dr. James Incalcaterra (Ellen, Dr. Kara, Dr. James, and Amy)

Barbara and Michael Kujawa (Michael and Thomas)

Dr. Mary D. and Dr. Thomas (deceased) Rouse (Dr. Carrie, Dr. Maura, Joanne J.D., and Dr. Thomas)

Dogs and cats too numerous to list except Taffy

*“Roni made life brighter, celebrations bigger, and everyone around her feel loved. She was our Inie, and we will miss her beyond words.

She was the best.”

The family expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Sherman and the staff of MD Anderson Cancer Center, who took the time to get to know Roni and who let her get to know them, and to Lily Garcia and Patricia Briseño who provided skilled and compassionate care during the last weeks of her life.

SERVICES

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (speakers at 6:30 p.m. and Rosary at 7:00 p.m.) at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78232.

Livestreaming link for Thursday, November 5, 2026 beginning at 6:30pm for speakers followed by the Rosary:

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26107775332434

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1602 Thousand Oaks Dr., San Antonio, TX 78232, with a reception to follow. Her sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters.

Livestreaming link for Thursday, November 6, 2026 beginning at 10:30 a.m. for Mass.

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c2610107705878

Please note depending on the wifi signal in the church the livestreaming link may not work; however, it should still be recording to allow viewing later on.

The thyroid cancer came into Roni’s life, April 18th 2006 at Mayo clinic on a dry, sunny, spring afternoon. Prior to that it appeared on a new machine, a CAT Scanner, when it was being assessed by employees. Thyroid cancer was in her life for 20.5 years, but it never controlled her life. It became widely metastatic into ever organ of her body except perhaps her heart. Everyone got their multitude of Christmas presents, especially grandchildren; got their special ingredient coconut oil birthday cakes; got their creatively decorated, sugar cookies, despite the metastatic, growing cancer. Dr. Sherman and MD Anderson Cancer Center did all they could “battle after battle.” No one ever “gave up.” But toward the end, the tumor was winning the war despite losing many battles. Roni died October 24, 2026, an ordinary Saturday night except for her death. She never, never gave up. The cancer died over the next minutes and hour. She never, never gave up!

Rest in Eternal Peace, my Dear.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, designated for thyroid cancer research, in memory of Veronica L. Rouse, M.D. Contributions may be made online at MDAnderson.org/Gifts or mailed to:

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Attn: Development Office

P.O. Box 4486

Houston, TX 77210-4486

(Please indicate that the donation is in memory of Veronica L. Rouse, M.D., and intended to support thyroid cancer research.)

Please enjoy this song popular when Roni was born:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSJ-oT2ZBa0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9fC9Ow1z9U

Perry Como November 11, 1945

Perry Como's “Till the End of Time” (1945) spent 17 weeks on the Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart, including 10 consecutive weeks at No. 1.

*Important parts of this narrative were contributed by Patricia Vargas, Katherine David, Steven Rouse, and Patrick Rouse

Click the link below to see:

Vintage 1950's View-Master Bakelite 3D picture viewer three-dimensional Stereoscope image black Sawyer's Portland Oregon 3 color photo reels and a 1950s mimeograph machine, Historical Society of Riverton, New Jersey.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CO8JDr66_w3eqv7sUcjbj4_bQwVvbuiR/view?usp=sharing