'We're Supposed to Give'

Fr. Bernard J. Coughlin, S.J.
Chancellor

When I call and ask "How you doing?" not always, but more often than not, her answer is, "Oh, I am very busy." Years ago I used to ask myself, "What keeps her so busy?" I no longer ask that question, having observed her for hours at a time at her desk, solicitously managing her affairs, which are many. She responds personally to every call, every knock at the door and every letter she receives request­ing assistance. She is bombarded by virtually every charity in Eastern Washing­ton. She manages a large estate. She is the matriarch of a sizable family, being mother, grandmother, and great‑grandmother.

But the underlying reason why Jessie Rosauer has her hand into so many things is that "taking charge" came to her naturally, inherited along with a strong work ethic, from her parents.

Her mother and father were immi­grants from Austria who settled in Eastern Washington around Five Mile Prairie. Their daughter, Jessie, married Mert when she was 20 and be 2 1. Mert's parents had owned a mom and pop grocery store, so the newlyweds decided to give that a try. But they went broke because, as Jessie said, "We extended too much credit to our customers." As they had grown up used to challenges, they picked up the pieces and started all over again, opening a new store near downtown Spokane which became the first Rosauers. Jessie was very much involved in the business - "The silent partner and behind-the-scenes adviser," she described herself.

As that didn't keep her busy enough, in 1935 she borrowed $75 from her parents, who never doubted her ability, and opened a beauty salon. Nor did that keep her busy enough, so she opened a second beauty salon, and later managed a third. She did all this with little fuss: she was raised to be busy and take charge. This was years before Bella Abzug was strutting her stuff, years before people ever heard of "Women's Lib."

Jessie and Mert have traveled the world - Hong Kong, Taiwan, England, Ireland and Scotland, Western Europe, New Zealand, and years ago the Japanese sent a plane for them to cut the ribbon for the opening of the Cup of Noodles Company in Tokyo. Today people all across the Northwest know the Rosauer name, and the Rosauer legacy is all over Spokane. Few people, even those who know her, are aware of how extensive her philanthropy reaches. She has been a major supporter of the Spokane Guild Schools, of Gonzaga Prep, St. Augustine's Parish, the Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Sacred Heart Medical Center, and Morning Star Boys Ranch.

But her concern for good causes reaches far and wide: The American Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Shared Hope International - are regular beneficiaries of her philanthropy.

Jessie has a decided commitment to education. "One belief that I have had for a lifetime," she once wrote to me, "is that education in all forms is the answer to all problems in our world." So the Rosauer legacy at Gonzaga University is impres­sive. Jessie and Mert were major benefac­tors of the School of Business, of the Jundt Art Center and Museum, of the Herak Engineering Center, and of the Foley Library; and when the Crosby Library was turned into the Crosby Student Center, it was Jessie Rosauer who came forward to finance the renovations and development of that Center.

In the early 1990s I had the faculty of the School of Education on my back. The faculty of every other school had their home, while the Education faculty were homeless, cramped and scattered all over the campus. I went to Jessie and asked if she would give us a major gift to launch a Center for the School of Education. "Let me think it over," she said.

The following week I was in my office when my secretary said there was a lady asking to see me. Jessie walked in and without saying a word, put an envelope in my hand. I invited her to sit down but she couldn't stay, she said, because "I have to go take care of the sprinkling system out at the lake." She was smiliting merrily, but with a bit of devilment in her eyes. Turning to leave she added, "Have a good day." And she was gone. I opened the envelope and blinked at the size of the gift and the hand­written note: "This is for the School of Education. Jessie."

I mentioned that Jessie is a "take charge" lady and matriarch of a sizable family. She and her three children - Robin and bis two sisters, Shari and Sue - are very close. "And now in later years," she says, "I could not do all I do without the endless help and advice I get from my children. Without their caring and helpful ways I could not live the wonderful life I lead." And she adds, "And my good life includes a host of good friends whom I truly appreciate." I know many of those friends, and know that the appreciation is reciprocated a thousand times over.

Along with cheerfulness goes a delight to surprise, and a sense of humor. We had a party one evening at the Bozarth Mansion. You must know that Jessie is a very, very light drinker, but a very particular drinker, as I came to learn. Well, at her request I asked the bartender for a Canadian Club. "No Canadian Club." To which she responded: "Oh, that's all right. Ice water will do," Determined that ice water would not do, I ran all over the neighborhood to hunt down some Canadian Club. But my search was fruitless, and Jessie was content all evening with ice water. The following day a messenger delivered to my office a nicely wrapped package with two bottles of Canadian Club and a note: "This ought to take care of me for a while. Jessie" Since then, believe me, we have been well stocked with Canadian Club.
Spokane has many fine people who support homes and hospitals, schools and colleges, very generously. Perhaps few do so much in such an unheralded quiet way as does Jessie. She gives the impression that "It's no big deal." And more than once she has said: "We're supposed to give."

I have learned that I never have to ask Jessie for anything. Great is her gift of anticipation. I have also learned that she is of her own mind, strong minded, indeed. She knows what she wants, and she calls the shots. That mind is strong and large, and brimming with love.

To learn more about giving to Gonzaga through life insurance, call Jane Orr Director of Planned Giving, 1-800-388-0881 or visit www.gonzaga.edu/plannedgifts.