Roxanne R. Palenshus

Roxanne Palenshus, 79, of Bucyrus and a former resident of both Hilton Head and Summerville, SC, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, February 17, 2025 at OSU Wexner Medical Center. She started feeling ill a few days earlier, was diagnosed on Friday with a very rare and aggressive disease, plasma cell leukemia, and was with her Lord and savior on Monday.

Born Roxanne Rae Steiger on August 13, 1945 in Bucyrus to Harry and Dorothea (Kurtz) Steiger and was a 1963 graduate of Bucyrus High School. She continued her studies at Capital University, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a minor in education in 1967. That same year on June 18, she married Ronald J. Palenshus, DDS, and after teaching the second grade for 2 years in Columbus, they moved to Louisiana where Ron served in the US Army until they moved back to Bucyrus in 1971.

Roxanne was a loving wife of 53 years to Ron and mother of 4 children, dedicated Suzuki piano teacher for over 20 years, and passionate about several hobbies throughout her life. Her love of music and devoted Christian faith kept her involved as a church choir director, pianist and soloist for much of her adult life.

Some of Roxanne's other proud achievements were winning blue ribbon awards for her homemade porcelain dolls, being a judge in the National Guild of Piano Teachers, visiting all but one of the 50 United States (mostly via motorhome), making clothes for her children and dolls and keeping her home absolutely beautiful. Other hobbies she had were making ceramic Christmas decorations and pottery, creating stained glass windows, taking beautiful pictures, and making a variety of things with macrame.

Near the end of Ron's career and into retirement, Roxanne and Ron lived in South Carolina first on Hilton Head Island and later in Summerville before she returned to Bucyrus last Fall where she could spend more time with her grandkids. Sadly, she wouldn't have nearly as much time as we all expected.

Roxanne is survived by children, Craig (Heather) Palenshus, Scot Palenshus, Chad (Dawn) Palenshus and Tiffany (Shawn) Jury; 4 grandchildren via Craig - Kylie (Matt) Shaffer, Hannah Palenshus, Abby Palenshus, Joshua Palenshus; 2 grandchildren via Scot - Eleanor Palenshus and Miles Palenshus; 5 grandchildren via Tiffany - Kimber Butler, Barrett Butler, Cooper Jury, A.J. Jury, Clay (Lindsay) Jury; brother, Larry (Rhonda) Steiger as well as her extended family and close circle of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Palenshus; father, Harry Steiger; mother, Dorothea Steiger Yaussy; stepfather, Harold Yaussy; and stepsister, Connie (Yaussy) Burwell.

Calling hours for Roxanne will be held from 1:30 – 2:55 pm Sunday, March 2 in the Auditorium at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Bucyrus, immediately followed by a celebration of life service in the sanctuary of the church at 3:00 pm with Pastor Tanyce Addison officiating. She will be privately interred in Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made payable to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and these gifts will be accepted through the Wise Funeral Service or at the church on the day of her services. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on her guestbook page at www.wisefuneral.com.