Leland and Laura Rouse

Leland “Harry” “Icky” Morse Rouse, 84, and Laura Lillian (Harrington) Rouse, 79, passed away together on September 24, 2023, at their home.  Leland was born on May 16, 1939, in Blossburg, the son of the late Clyde Norris and Nina (Tubbs) Rouse.  Laura was born on December 21, 1943, in Coudersport, the daughter of the late Henry D. and Laura (Niver) Harrington.   Leland and Laura were married on October 14, 1961, at North Bingham Church and have celebrated over 61 years of marriage together. 

They were active in 4-H, Tioga County Fair, the Chatham Twp. Volunteer Fire Department.  Leland was also a Chatham Twp. Supervisor for many years.  They attended the Little Marsh United Methodist Church for several years.

Leland’s farming days started at an early age when he went to live with John and Sally Bieser on their dairy and sheep farm in Little Marsh.  John and Sally became like parents and grandparents to the entire Rouse family.

Laura was an exceptional homemaker who helped raise many children in the Little Marsh area.  She also took great care of her lawn and in her recent years, very reluctantly, took on the lawn care supervisory role.

One of their greatest joys was attending events that their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other neighborhood children participated in.  They also looked forward to attending the Tioga County Fair every year where they had been involved for nearly 50 years.  Thanks to technology, they were able to stay connected with their family in Montana and Wyoming and loved receiving pictures and videos of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Leland and Laura are survived by daughters: Kelly Rouse (Gail) Doan of Circle, Montana; Tracey Rouse (Bill) English of Wellsboro; Daughter-in-law, Nancy (Rouse) Pautz of Knoxville; grandchildren: Lindsey (Jordan) Vigil, Lacey (Andrew) Helm, Brent English, Chelsie English, Bryan Blackwell, and Chris (Gayla) Blackwell, great grandchildren: Finley and Weston Vigil, Brady, Eli and Hayes Helm, Maddie and Michael Blackwell, special niece and nephew, Kyle (Courtney) Rouse, Whitney and Lainey Rouse, and Sarah (Nate) Callahan, Laura’s sisters: Evelyn Kellogg, Lucille (Tom) Hoppe, and Kitty (Jim) Panky, Leland’s brother, Clyde “Gene” Rouse, and Leland’s sister, Lorraine Stermer.  They were preceded in death by their son, Michael Scott Rouse, and an infant son Timothy Rouse.

Family suggests memorial contributions in their name be made to the Tioga County Fair Beef Barn Expansion Fund, c/o Annette Miles, 118 Ferris Corners Road, Little Marsh, PA 16950 or the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department, Blair Creek Rd., Little Marsh, PA 16950.

A celebration of Leland’s and Laura’s life will be held Sunday October 1, 2023, at 1:00 pm at the Tioga County Fair Grounds, 2258 Charleston Rd., Wellsboro, with refreshments to follow.  A private burial will be in the Wormer Cemetery.  The family has entrusted Leland’s and Laura’s arrangements to the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home. 139 Main St., Wellsboro.  To share a memory or condolence with their family visit www.tusseymosher.com.

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