Brother Joel Marc Rousseau, FFSC, died on Feb. 20, at the Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross at St. James Monastery in Springfield.
The former Dean LaVerne Rousseau was born on June 28, 1954 in Cavalier, N.D., to the late James and Gertrude (Boyer) Rousseau. He was the eighth of nine children, being the fourth son. Dean grew up in Walhalla, N.D., where he attended St. Boniface School and graduated from Walhalla High School in 1972. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks before entering the Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross in the summer of 1977. He was invested with the habit of the congregation on Sept. 1, 1977 at St. Anthony’s Novitiate in Riverton. He made his first vows on Jan. 24, 1979 — making his final vows on Jan. 21, 1984.
Brother Joel Marc served at Brother James Court and Springfield Developmental Center in direct care and secretarial duties from 1979 to 1989. The years 1989 to 1996 found him at St. Joseph School and Parish in Fayetteville, Ark. Among his duties were secretary in the school; religion teacher; coordinator of Religious Education; and he served as server moderator/lector for the school and parish. Brother Joel Marc served at St. John the Baptist School in Jefferson, Wis., from November 1996 to June 1998 where he served as secretary in the school. He also worked part-time at St. Coletta School of Wisconsin at the switchboard. From 1998 to 2000 he worked at Lewis County Nursing Home in Canton, Mo., as a CNA and receptionist. In October of 2000 he began serving in the Catholic Pastoral Center in Tribunal Services as ecclesiastical notary (secretary). He retired several years ago.
Brother Joel Marc taught religious education in Riverton and Springfield; Fayetteville, Ark.; Jefferson, Wis.; and Canton, Mo. He prepared many second-graders for first reconciliation and first Eucharist.
Brother Joel Marc was also an associate member of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation from Maryvale Convent in Valley City, N.D.
He is survived by his sister, Susan Rousseau, of Minneapolis, Minn., and his brother, John Rousseau (Celestine Duscheneaux) of Mandan, N.D. He is further survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and the Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross with whom he shared life for 44 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Franklin James, and Gerald; and four sisters, Elaine Peterson, Clara Lamb, Imogene Centorcelli, and Teresa Rousseau.
Private services were held at St. Joseph the Worker Chapel at St. James Monastery on Feb. 24. Burial followed at Resurrection Hill Cemetery.
Staab Funeral Home – Springfield was in charge of arrangements.