Eleise Ann Roou

Eleise Ann Roou (L’Empereur), age 79 of Menasha, WI joined her heavenly kingdom on October 19, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born to the late Merville and Birgitta (Denis) L’Empereur on November 17, 1945 in Green Bay, WI. Eleise graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Green Bay with the class of ’64 and went on to become a dental assistant. Through a coworker, Sue, who later became her sister-in-law, she met the love of her life, Gary “Doc” Roou, and they were married shortly after on Valentine’s day in 1970. Together, they raised 3 wonderful children, to whom Eleise later became a full-time mom. After the kids were grown enough, Eleise took on work as an EKG technician at LaSalle Clinic (later Affinity) in Neenah, spending many years there before retiring in the early 2000s.

If anything could be said of Eleise, it would be that she was a devoted matriarch. She cherished every moment she could spend with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Like her husband, Eleise enjoyed sports. Of course, she cheered on the Wisconsin teams like the Packers and the Brewers, but she spent most of her time watching sports attending her family’s games. She would try to go to every single event that her kids and grandkids participated in. She enjoyed reading and always seemed to be in the middle of at least three books at a time. Eleise was quite the animal lover – initially just dogs, but warmed up to cats too. You could often find Eleise and Doc out on the town enjoying a Friday night fish fry or, per Eleise’s wishes, shopping for good deals on whatever they needed. Christmas was a real special holiday to Eleise as a woman of faith, and she absolutely loved decking the halls for the festivities. More than anything else in the world, though, Eleise truly loved her family and was proud of everyone she helped to raise.

Eleise will be missed by her children, Nicole (Todd) Huettl and Brett Roou; her daughter-in-law, Tammy Roou; her grandchildren, Matthew, Kiya, Madison, Morgan, and Mallory; her brother, Denis L’Empereur; her sister, Tina (Gary) Rasmussen; several siblings-in-law; her special friend of 75 years, Sandi Wahl; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends.

Eleise is preceded in death by her husband, Gary “Doc”; her son, Greg; her sister, Mary; her sisters-in-law, Judy and Sue; and her mother-in-law, Lucille.

A memorial visitation will be held for Eleise from 4-6 PM on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St, Appleton, WI 54911 with a memorial service to follow at 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established for Eleise and Gary Roou.

Eleise’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the ThedaCare At Home Hospice team, especially Nicole Benjamin Reddick, PA with palliative care for their support, expert care, and compassion shown to Eleise during her time of need. An additional thank-you to all the friends and family who stopped by and showed support and love to Eleise in the past few weeks. She and her family were deeply appreciative of your assistance.

“Love you forevermore,” mom.