Thomas James Rouse
March 17, 1937 ~ November 22, 2023
Thomas James Rouse, 86, was born March 15, 1937 in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His life’s work here on earth ended on November 22, 2023.
Tom grew up in South Milwaukee. His entire neighborhood was his backyard full of constant playmates and friends, especially his Rouse cousins. He would walk the two blocks almost daily to serve at early morning mass. He enjoyed his work as a teenager at Grant Park golf course on Lake Michigan. He attended St. John’s grade school, Marquette High School and graduated from Marquette University.
Tom married his high school sweetheart, his beloved “Schatzy,” Florence Sulewski, on August 16, 1958. As a family, they moved to Columbia, South Carolina and later settled in Kansas in 1975. He was well-respected in manufacturing, working as an accountant, a controller, and eventually, the President of Superior Boiler Works in Hutchinson, Kansas.
In Hutchinson, Tom and Florence were extremely involved with their church, community and kids’ sporting events, having spent many years volunteering together with the Hutchinson High School Cross Country team. He often led the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross at Holy Cross Church. Tom also volunteered with Meals-on-Wheels, and the Kansas Golf and Youth Golf Association. Whether in these endeavors or over a game of cards, cribbage or dominos, Tom shined as a talented conversationalist. He had a laugh that made those around him join in, and to say “he never knew a stranger” was an understatement.
When their kids went to college, they became true K-State fans, with Tom wearing purple and white at countless games with his family. When not supporting the Wildcats, he was an enthusiastic fan of the Royals and the Chiefs.
He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Gertrude, his beloved wife Florence, infant son Donald, grandson Jackson Rouse, his sister Mary Ellen (Rouse) Oswald and in-laws Rudy Oswald, Eddie & Arleen Sulewski and Roger Rayeske.
Tom leaves behind his family that will miss him dearly, including his children Barbara Ehr (John), Jim Rouse (Cindy), Susan Williams (Gary), Mike Rouse (Dawn) and Jeff Rouse (Angela), as well as grandchildren, Chris Ehr (Angi), Jodi Tuite (Michael), Emily Budden (Ted), Hillary Richards (Tate), Abby Baez (Ozzy), Thomas Williams, Lauren Rouse, Nathan Rouse, Katy Rouse and Megan Rouse and great-grandchildren, Aubree, Spencer, Kerrigan, Emsley, Henry, Benjamin, Everett, Natalie, Cohen, Rosie and Josemaria, his sister-in-law, Dorothy Rayeske, and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass for Tom will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Salina, KS. Visitation will be at Ryan Mortuary, Friday, December 1st from 4 – 6 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Endowment Fund. A private burial will be held at later date.
Thanks for your care and support Dad! We wish you a safe journey to Heaven and a beautiful reunion with Mom, Donald and Jack.
Tom’s family would like to thank the following in assisting us in the care for our dad: Kate, Koral, Tamara, Mandy, Shelly, Ashly, Shelbi, Dr. Garrett Hooker, Father Michael Hermes, Saline County Home Health Agency, St. Elizabeth’s Home Bound Eucharistic Minister Team, OCCK, Sunflower Adult Day Services, Good Samaritan Society and Olathe Health Hospice.
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