Church Point, La. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 17, 2012 at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Branch, La. for Rita Barousse, 80, the former Rita Kay Fruge. Mrs. Barousse, a native and long-time resident of Branch, died at 4:10 P.M. Saturday, December 15 at her residence. Her life-long friend, Father Gary Schexnider, will conduct the services with interment following in the St. Edmund Cemetery adjacent to the church.

Survivors include her son, Mark Prentiss; her daughter, Annette B. Leonards and husband Randy of Roberts Cove, La.; a brother, Gary Fruge of Branch; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Barousse and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Fruge.

The family requested that visiting hours be observed from 2:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 16 and continue from 8:00 A.M. Monday until the time of the services. A recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday by Father Schexnider and the Ladies Altar Society.

Pallbearers will be Russell, Rufus, Richard and Ruston Leonards and Matthew, Jordan and Zachary Barousse. Readers will be her granddaughters, Erin and Mary Katherine Barousse.

Mrs. Barousse was a member of the St. Edmund Ladies Altar Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Council for many years.