Brenda Lee Hassebrock

Brenda Lee Hassebrock, age 79, a much-loved wife, mother, sister, and grandma, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in Manassas Park, holding her husband’s hand. She had been fighting dementia at the time. She was the daughter of the late Harold and Rita DeRousse (née Haar). Brenda was born in Breese, IL, and then lived her entire childhood and early adulthood in nearby Mascoutah, IL.

Brenda was a 1964 graduate of Mascoutah Community High School. She met and started dating Roland Hassebrock, a former High School classmate in that same year. She and Roland both attended and graduated from Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale, Il, in 1967. Brenda was an outstanding student and an avid reader. She graduated from SIU after only three years, attending on a full academic scholarship. Upon graduation, Brenda became a teacher, and her marriage to a USAF Officer soon took her to the far corners of the globe. Their first assignment was at Andrews, AFB, MD, but soon they would be shipped to Taiwan in 1969. Their career would then result in 16 moves through 7 states over the next 30 years. Brenda and Roland had two children and were married for 57 1/2 fun-filled years. Brenda enjoyed reading, traveling, hosting, and attending parties, laughing, games (especially Scrabble and Euchre), and telling tall tales. The latter talent we believe, was an inherited talent from her father. She was a tremendous cook, and equally talented baker. She taught her grandkids to enjoy many things, but annual Christmas cookies, chocolate houses, and pie crusts were the most delicious.

SURVIVORS: Loving husband: Roland A. Hassebrock, Potomac Falls, VA; children: Douglas Hassebrock (Lia) of Leesburg, VA, Melinda Pamatigan née Hassebrock (Alfred) of Kapolei, Hawai’i, grandchildren: Ava and Charlotte Hassebrock and Brock Pamatigan, also survived by her brother Michael DeRousse (Sandra) of Santa Barbara, CA, sister-in-law and life-long friend, Barbara Cleland of O’Fallon, Il, as well as many loved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

VISITATION: Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 7-9PM, Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St. Manassas, VA 20110.

FUNERAL MASS: Friday, September 19, 2025, 10:30 AM, All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA 20110.

BURIAL: Monday September 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM (9:30AM early showtime please) at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172. Condolences: Pierce Funeral Home, www.piercefh.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brenda’s name to either the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or the Dementia Society of America at www.DementiaSociety.org