Obituary

Gerald Edward Rouse was born January 19, 1944 in Grand Island, Nebraska the son of Warren Russell Rouse and Mary Elizabeth (Weinrich) Rouse and passed away in Seward, Nebraska on October 11, 2017 at the age of 73 years, 8 months, 22 days. Gerald attended Lincoln Elementary School, Walnut Junior High School and was a 1962 graduate of Grand Island Senior High School, all in Grand Island, NE. As a young student Gerald was inspired by "To Kill a Mockingbird" which drew him to the area of law. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1968 from Hastings College. On August 31, 1968, Gerald was united in marriage to Stephanie Elizabeth Egley at Grand Island, Nebraska. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Suzanne. Gerald attended the University of Nebraska College of Law, graduating in 1971 with a Juris Doctor degree. Shortly after, they moved to Columbus where he worked in private practice with Baker and Tessendorf Law Firm for eight months and was then appointed to the bench. In 1997 they moved to Seward. The Honorable Judge Rouse served as a County Judge for several counties for 40 years, retiring in December of 2012. Gerald was President of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges from 1999-2000 and was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Seward and served on the Vestry.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, George Rouse and Duane Rouse; one sister Laura Jean (Rouse) Makie and sister-in-law, Bonnie (Mrs. George) Rouse.

Survivors cherishing Gerald's memory include his wife of 49 years, Stephanie, Seward; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Dan Schlissel, Richfield, MN; granddaughter, Mila Elizabeth Schlissel; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Naomi Rouse, Tucson, AZ; brothers-in-law, Dean Makie, Green River, WY, Dorn Egley, Ft. Collins, CO; sister-in-law, Doris (Mrs. Duane) Rouse, Doniphan, NE; nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Gerald.

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Services

Visitation

October

16

Zabka Funeral Home

410 Jackson Ave, Seward, NE 68434

1:00 - 8:30 pm

Family Receiving Friends

October

16

Zabka Funeral Home

410 Jackson Ave, Seward, NE 68434

6:30 - 8:00 pm

Celebration of Life

October

17

St. Andrew's Espicopal Church

1014 North 6th Street, Seward, NE 68434

Starts at 2:00 pm

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