Michael Rasmussen Obituary

Michael Earl Rasmussen, was born in the New Bisgard Hopital, on March 15, 1948, to Marvin J. and Iva Mae (Cox) Rasmussen of rural Kirkman. He grew up in the Kirkman area, attending school first in the Kirkman Community School and Irwin Kirkman Community school, where he graduated in 1967. He was baptized and confirmed at the First United Methodist Church, Kirkman, as a child. He suffered sickness with rheumatic fever as a child and missed lots of school, because of that he was held back a year to catch up with his education. In October 1965, he met and started dating, Suzanne Marie (Greer). They were high school sweethearts and married at the United Methodist Church in Harlan, on Dec. 2, 1967. He worked on the farm and with Luke McDowell Garage of Kirkman during his high school years.
After graduating, Mike worked at Wigness Machine Shop in Harlan, Ia. until he was drafted by the U.S. Army to report to duty on Feb. 1, 1968. Mike did 8 wks. of Basic training in Ft. Lewis, Wa, and AIT training in Ft. Dix, NJ. After 10-12 wks. of training on radio communication and transportation, Mike was given a 2 wk. furlough on July 10, 1968. While Mike was on leave, Suzanne’s pregnancy was determined a risk and she was induced. Kevin was born to the couple July 17. After spending another short week with his family, he was sent for 1 year and 1 day in Viet Nam with the 11th Armored Cavalry until July 1969. He was transferred to U.S.A.R. in Ft. Carson, CO. where he was honorably discharged on 7 Nov. 1969, from 12th Cav. Fifth Div. Mike wouldn’t describe his service as outstanding, but he did everything the Army needed him to do. His classification was Light vehicle driver on discharge, but in Vietnam he was classified a heavy truck driver, even driving a tank. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars and a Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device. Making it home alive being his major accomplishment. Many servicemen would say because of his Agent Orange exposure, “He died in Vietnam, but his actual death wasn’t until Oct. 29, 2021”.
Mike, Suzanne and Kevin returned from their short time in Colorado to farm with his father, Marvin, and brother, Jon. He did custom anhydrous application with the new 856 IH he bought, and mechanical work to supplement the family while they were getting into the farming operation. Scott Michael was born to the couple in May 1972. And in 1974, Mike worked with a Spirit Lake Company to help build the family’s present home, adding a garage and entry in 1979. Mike was proud of the work he was able to do to build this home. In July 1981, Gina Marie was born to the couple. The family enjoyed camping, boating, canoeing, and bike riding. Mike was a Scoutmaster and Scout leader for his boys’ troops, participating in many special times of learning and growing. Mike was a life member of the NRA and the Local Post 941 VFW. He was active doing mechanic work on the farm, gun smithing and got a Federal Firearm’s License to be a gun dealer. His nephew, Jason, wrote in a text to his Aunt Suzanne after hearing about Mike’s passing, how much he appreciated all the times Mike had taken the time to teach him how to run the torch, weld and about mechanics. Because of our close family living quarters, we were one big family working together, raising hogs, corn, soybeans and our families. Mike and Suzanne were able to go to Hawaii for R&R while he was in Vietnam and later to celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1992. It was planned that Mike and Suzanne’s parents would join them on that trip. Marvin and Iva Mae, Diana Greer and her sister, Aletha Hansen, joined them on a 10 day excursion around the Hawaiian island. Mike fished in several lakes in Minnesota, Sheboygan, MI., South Padre Island, TX with his father, father-in-law, sons and best friend, Adrian Nelson.
Mike’s health started to deteriorate in 1997 with a heart attack and later, suffering many issues with his lungs (bronchitis, pneumonia). He was diagnosed with End Stage COPD in 2016 and pursued compensation from the V.A. for Agent Orange damage which he was given 100% compensation. As his lungs weakened and his need for supplemental oxygen increased, Mike found he was more and more limited in strength and ability. He continued trying to maintain things on the farm, mowing, gun-smithing and serving for over 51 years as a volunteer fireman on the Douglas Township Fire Department. He served as their Fire Chief taking the place of his Dad after his retirement in 1980. He joined the fire department officially when he turned 18 yrs. with then Fire Chief, Harlan Huckins. He was Douglas Township Clerk from 1990 – 2021. He loved helping his community.
After placing himself on Hospice in June 2021, Mike enjoyed watching the old westerns on TV, NASCAR and visits from family, old friends and his lifetime coffee buddy. When he found out that his daughter and her husband were going to have their first child in October, 2021; that became his biggest goal – to live long enough to meet Isabella Mae Glen, who he promptly nicknamed “Izzy”. His grandchildren all knew they had a special place in Grandpa Mike’s life and heart because they each carry/treasure their nickname he gave them, Amos (Amy), RaTroll (Rachel), Squirrel (Jaynie) and Fuzzy Boy (David). Izzy was born on October 21, 2021 and on October 22, Mike made the trip with Suzanne and son, Scott, to see her at the Myrtue Memorial Medical Center. Mike lived long enough to make sure Izzy was home with her parents from the Children’s Hospital on the 27th and then rapidly lost his battle after 3 days with COVID 19, October 29th. He did it his way, on his couch/recliner westerns playing on TV, and in his own home and not in a hospital bed and peacefully. He took Jesus hand and together they left the room. Michael attained the age of seventy-three years, seven months, and fourteen days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Jon Rasmussen.
He is survived by his wife Suzanne Rasmussen of Kirkman, Iowa; children Kevin Rasmussen of Harlan, Iowa; Scott (Michelle) Rasmussen of Elk Horn, Iowa; Gina (Matt) Glenn of Harlan, Iowa; grandchildren Amy Rasmussen of Chicago, Illinois; Rachel Rasmussen of Leesburg, Virginia; Jaynie Rasmussen of Avoca, Iowa; David Rasmussen of Harlan, Iowa; Isabella Glenn of Harlan, Iowa; sisters-in-law Judy Rasmussen of Kirkman, Iowa; Marian Greer-Stokes of Harlan, Iowa; brothers-in-law Gary (Susan) Greer of Harlan, Iowa; David (Jodi) Greer of Fort Collins, Colorado; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.