Geraldine 'Geri' Mae Rouse

CASPER, Wyo. -- Geraldine "Geri" Mae Rouse, 71, died Saturday (June 15, 2002) at Bryan LGH East in Lincoln.

She was born April 3, 1931, to Matthew and Sybil (Dayton) Mericle at Fort Dodge, Iowa. She graduated from Norfolk Junior College in 1949. She began her teaching career in Oakdale, Neligh, Ewing and Elgin.

On Feb. 1, 1952, she married Maynard Willard Rouse in Yankton, S.D. In 1967, the family moved to McCook where she taught in Culbertson and later at District 8 in McCook. In 1976, the family moved to Casper, Wyo. where she continued teaching as a Reading Specialist at Willard Elementary School. She received her Masters degree in Reading and Education from the University of Wyoming. She retired in 1996.

She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and a past President of the International Reading Association. She was given the Star Teacher Award by the Casper Star Tribune; Crystal Apple Award presented by the Casper Chamber of Commerce; Golden Apple Award from Natrona County School District No. 1; Celebrate Literacy Award from the local IRA chapter; Outstanding Teacher Award from the Natrona County Education Association; IRA Celebrate Literacy Award; and the Outstanding Educator Award from the American Legion. She was also listed in Who's Who in American Education.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard; a son, Timothy; and two grandsons.

Survivors include her parents, Matthew and Sybil (Dayton) Mericle of Fort Dodge, Iowa; two sons, Wayne Rouse of Manhattan, Kan. and Matthew Rouse and wife, Dominique of Grand Island; one daughter, Beth-Ellen Mohr of Las Vegas, Nev.; one daughter-in-law, Cheryl Rouse of Fort Morgan, Colo; one brother, John L. Mericle of Edmonds, Wash.; one sister, Mathalie Mericle of Arlington, Wash.; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Memorial services will be Friday July 12, 2002, at the Oregon Trail State Veteran's Cemetery in Casper with Cecelia Rogers Miller, elder of the First Christian Church, officiating.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Roper & Sons Funeral Home of Lincoln is in charge of arrangements.