Robert James Rasmussen

Robert J. Rasmussen, age 85, of Walnut Grove, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the Sanford-Sioux Valley Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be held from 3 – 7 pm on Sunday at the Almlie – Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com. The Almlie – Horvath Funeral Home of Tracy is caring for the family. Robert James Rasmussen was born on September 8, 1928 to Peter and Marvel (Grunig) Rasmussen in Jeffers, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Jeffers Public School. He grew up on the family farm near Sanborn, MN. On March 8, 1952, Robert was united in marriage to Esther Menken at the Trinity American Lutheran Church in Jeffers. They lived in Jeffers for a short time and then moved to a farm 8 1/2 miles north of Walnut Grove where they lived until moving to their current farm in 1984. Robert farmed all his life and raising cattle was his pride and joy. He always kept up with the current farming technology. Robert enjoyed farming, his horses and buggy, fishing with his grandchildren at the gravel pits, and just spending time with his family and friends. On Thursday, June 19, 2014, Robert passed away at the Sanford-Sioux Valley Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 85 years old. He is survived by his wife, Esther of Walnut Grove; children, Dennis Rasmussen of Walnut Grove, Rose Marie (James) Schmiesing of Lucan, Cathy (Terry) Ochs of Springfield, and daughter-in-law, Vicky Rasmussen of Tracy; siblings, Marion (Neale) Sinclair of Indianola, IA, Harlan (Pat) Rasmussen of Sanborn, Glennis (Curt) Pearson of Rochester, Sharon (Tom) Yager of Minneapolis, brothers and sisters-in-law, Maxine Rasmussen, Barb Rasmussen, Viola Menken, Richard and Irene Menken, Elta Menken, John and Hilda Brand, and Donald and Anne Roefer; 18 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Paul James in 2000, brothers, Leroy, Daniel, Alan, and Marvin, sisters, Joy Kosel and Glee Meyer, and great-granddaughter, Chazinne Jo Rasmussen – Towne. Blessed be his memory.