Rasalyn M. Russeau

Rosalyn (Rose) M. Nieswender was born to Alvin and Arlene (Yarger) Nieswender in Erie, Michigan. She grew up on the family farm as one of five children. Rose Russeau, 81, of Monroe, was reunited with her husband and other loved ones in Heaven on Friday, December 20, 2013, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was a favorite among the staff at the Mercy Memorial Nursing Center where she resided for the past four-and-a-half years under the watchful care of Dr. Joseph Hunt. Rose married Herman J. Russeau on April 16, 1946. From this union were born eight children. They shared 34 years together before Herman lost his battle with ALS. Along with her children, Rose helped to run Russeau & Sons Nursery and the family's farm in Monroe, Michigan. She was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Maybe. She liked baking pies for the church's annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Rose enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to hear her grandchildren sing. Rose was a huge Detroit Tigers fan, and hardly ever missed a game. To keep her mind sharp, she enjoyed working on word search puzzles. She also enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and baking. "Granny's" homemade bread and pies will be missed by many. Most especially, we will miss the mayonnaise cakes she would make for birthday celebrations. To cherish her memory, Rose leaves behind her children: Harold and Joan (Saja) Russeau of Newport; Linda (Marlow) and Richard Harper of Monroe; Herman and Christy (Parker) Russeau, Jr. of Maybe; Brian Russeau of Monroe; Preston and Nancy (Parker) Russeau of Maybe; Barry and Connie (Desbrough) Russeau of Dundee; Louise and David Borgert of Petersburg; and Douglas and Janet (Roberts) Russeau of Monroe. Additionally, there are 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren (with one on the way) for her to watch over from Heaven. She will also be missed by two brothers: Albert (Bud) and Betty Nieswender of Jackson; and Millard and Jimmie Nieswender of Monroe; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and "adopted" family members. Waiting to greet her in Heaven were her husband, Herman J. Russeau, Sr., her parents, two sisters and an infant brother, Maxine, Evelyn, and Dwight Nieswender.