Gordon Rasmusson

Gordon Lewis Rasmusson, 87, of Fergus Falls died Monday, April 21, 2008, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. Gordon was born June 21, 1920, the sixth child of Rasmus J. and Inga Regina Rasmusson in New London, MN, was baptized on July 25th, 1920 at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar, MN, and confirmed at Little Sauk Lutheran Church in rural Osakis, MN, on October 6, 1935. After graduating from McGrath High School in 1938, he worked various jobs including carpentry and sales. He enlisted in the army in 1942. Gordy married Anna Evelyn Rasmussen in McGrath while on leave May 12, 1943. He was honorably discharged due to medical reasons on September 19, 1943. Gordon continued to serve his fellow veterans and their families as an active member of the Disabled American Veterans. He graduated from North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, assisting in the "electrification of the prairie" by wiring rural properties. He took employment as an apprentice meter technician at Otter Tail Power Company on October 1, 1946. Otter Tail moved Gordon into the dispatching department in 1950 and he retired as a senior dispatcher on July 1, 1977. He was the recipient of the Outstanding Dispatcher Service Award of the American Power Dispatchers Association in 1979. In addition to his work at Otter Tail, Gordon pursued a life-long interest in building trades. With the help of family and friends, Anna and Gordon built their first home in Fergus Falls in 1947, remodeled and expanded their second home as their family grew, and built their dream home on south Swan Lake in the late 60's. Gordon continued as a self employed carpenter and cabinetmaker until recently. Spiritual, moral and character education was important to Mr. Rasmusson. He was superintendent of Sunday Schools at Bethlehem Lutheran Church for many years in the 50's and 60's. He served on the Minnkota District council of the Boy Scouts and as Scoutmaster of troop 351 of Fergus Falls. He actively worked with boys, engaging other fathers in support of their own families and rejoicing in the many Eagle Scouts from his troop, including his four sons. As adult leader of the Fergus 4-H club, he was an active supporter of 4-H in West Otter Tail County, and project advisor for the shop and gardening projects for the local club youths. Gordon loved to be in the out-of-doors. Gardening, woodcutting, camping, driving horses, building and fishing were what made his day. He loved water-skiing, and last skimmed the water on his 80th birthday. His workshop is filled with projects in process. He loved music, beginning with carrying the instruments for bands that played in Round Prairie in his early teens. He picked up the guitar and harmonica and sang when the spirit moved him. Campfires were not the same without a harmonica rendition of "You Are My Sunshine". His high school jobs in the creamery and the bakery, together with his mother Inga's coaching, taught him how to make incredibly tasty sweet rolls and lefse. Coffee at Gordy and Anna's often included his home-made foods. Even his friends in Red-River Danes ate his Norwegian pastries. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rasmus and Inga; his brothers and sisters, Joseph, Leonard, Reuben, Mabel Bense, Robert, Violet Gerlach, and Vernon. Carrying his memory are his wife, Anna, of Fergus Falls; his children, Karen (Hans) Langsjoen of Galveston, TX, Michael of Moorhead, MN, Marlowe of Rothsay, MN, Steve (Paula) of Marshall, MN, and Thomas of Fergus Falls, MN; grandchildren Lisa (James) Kapaun, Laurie (Randy) Colton, Justin, Maren Langsjoen, Kimberly, Erika Langsjoen, Emilirose, Rose Langsjoen, and Caleb; great-grandchildren, Keanna Kapaun, Sara Colton, Mihayla Kapaun, Andrew, Emily Colton, Nadilynn Kapaun, Curtis Kapaun, and Teagan Colton; and his brother-in-law John (Joyce) Rasmussen and their 3 daughters of Maddock, ND. Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with a 6 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial Service: 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverends Kate Bruns and Paul Nelson Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Military Participation by the Fergus Falls Disabled American Veterans Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com