Kevin Earl Rasmussen was born on July 17, 1968, in Harlan, IA to Michael E. and Suzanne M. (Greer) Rasmussen of rural Kirkman. He was born one week before his father was sent to Vietnam to serve his country in the Army. During his father’s service, Kevin and his mother lived with his grandparents, Marvin & Iva Mae Rasmussen, and Eugene & Diana Greer. The family returned to the Kirkman area in late 1969, where Kevin grew up. Kevin was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist church. Throughout his childhood, he was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and later became a Scoutmaster for his nephew’s troop.
He graduated in 1986 from the Irwin-Kirkman Schools. He worked with his family on MJM Farms, Inc. (Kirkman), Stabilt, Philips 66, Great Plains Lumber all in Harlan. Jay’s Custom Wood Products (Westphalia) was the job he was the most passionate about as he was able to make a piece of wood come to life building anything a customer desired. As Kevin continued to work for Jay, you only saw his perfectionism come out in his work, which made each piece unique.
In 1987, he met Tracey Mertz and was married in 1988. Kevin adopted Tracey’s 3-year-old daughter, Amy Lynn, whom he loved as his own. In 1990, Rachel Marie was born into this union. The family made its home on the Rasmussen farm (known as “Rasmussenville”, at that time). During this time Kevin was an active member of the Kirkman Volunteer Fire Department as a Fireman and EMT. Kevin enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, archery, camping, and bicycling with his family and friends.
The family moved to a house northwest of Kirkman, where Kevin spent many hours remodeling, building custom cabinets, and preparing for his family. After 14 years of marriage, this union ended. Kevin continued to work at Jay’s Custom Wood Products and serve his community as Fireman/EMT. He later met Natalie (Talie) Piper and her daughter, Sarah. They later left the Kirkman area and moved to Defiance, IA. In 2007 Kevin and Talie were united in marriage, and a son, David Michael, was born to this union in 2009. After their separation, Kevin continued to live in Defiance sharing joint custody (every other week) of his “little man” David. His joys were his children, whom he loved teaching everything his dad taught him plus more. He later moved into Harlan and looked forward to his alternate weeks with David.
During his lifetime, Kevin faced many obstacles which he continued to persevere and tackle. In 2021, just after his father, Mike had passed away, Kevin found out he had cancer of the lung, liver, and lymph nodes. He seemed to take it all in stride until he was no longer able to work at his passion, custom cabinetry. He reinvented himself as his health would tolerate by making homemade vanilla, wine, smoking briskets, ribs, and pork loins for friends and family. He dehydrated fruit, made baklava and was trying his hand at kombucha and mead. His thirst for learning found him in front of his TV watching YouTube videos by the hours learning more about BBQ, smoking meat, wine-making techniques, and other video programs. Up until early August, he was constantly learning something new.
He passed away on August 12th at Jennie Edmundson ICU. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, father, and uncles, Daniel Greer and Jon Rasmussen.
He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Rachel (Blake Parker, fiancé) Rasmussen, Leesburg, VA., son, David Rasmussen, Harlan, mother, Suzanne Rasmussen, Kirkman, brother, Scott (Michelle) Rasmussen, Elk Horn, sister, Gina (Matt) Glenn, Harlan, Nieces, Jaynie Rasmussen, Avoca, and Isabella Glenn, Harlan. Other family members, many friends, and neighbors.
Memorial Services will be Saturday, August 27th at 11:00 AM at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 9:00 AM. Burial will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Kirkman. The Pauley Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
