Obituary for Gordon E. Rasmussen

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Gordon E. Rasmussen

Gordon E. Rasmussen, 91, passed away Thursday, May 27th, 2021 with his wife Lois by his side, along with his four daughters. The son of Waldo and Florence (Eimerman) Rasmussen, he was born December 23, 1929, in Marshfield.

Gordie was a graduate of Marshfield Senior High School in 1947, then went on to serve in the Wisconsin National Guard from June 1948 until June 1953.  He took Lois A. Treutel’s hand in marriage 70 years ago at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church on the 3rd day of February 1951.  Their union was blessed with the births of nine children.

His accomplishments in business and in community service were many. With his partner, he founded D&R Furniture Mart in 1952, where he worked until his retirement. In addition to the furniture store, he was part of a group that created the clothing stores Dads and Lads, and County Miss, with multiple locations throughout the state. In the mid 1960’s he represented Marshfield’s 4th Ward as its Alderman and ran for Mayor of the city in 1968.  He was a strong supporter of Our Lady of Peace Church and School, as well as Columbus High School. He served as an Honorary Member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Elks Club, President of Jaycees, and the President of the OLP Parent Teachers Association.

He was not all business, though. He loved his cars, scooters, and roller skates. He spent many romantic nights at local skating rinks. But above all else, he was dedicated to his family. In 1953 he purchased a piece of paradise on the north end of Pier Lake in Oneida County. It was there that he taught his family to work together, appreciate each other, and respect and care for each other. He was so dedicated to the cabin in the Northwoods that he played a leading role in the construction of St. Francis Catholic Church, which serves the Pier Willow Region. All of these “up north” lessons not only guided each of his kids, but they also impacted his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom share many memories of “Grandpa’s Cottage.”

Gordie is survived by his wife, Lois A., and their children, Sandee Kramer of Palatine, IL; Jeffrey (Mary Jane) Rasmussen of Westborough, MA; Scott (Clare) Rasmussen of Eau Claire, WI; Cindy (Wayne) Zygarlicke of Marshfield, WI; Brian (Sandy) Rasmussen of Orono, MN; Aimee (Jerry) Clough of Sobieski, WI; and Brenda Carpenter of Menomonie, WI. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren: Jim (Amy) Kramer, Tom (Crista) Kramer, Tim (Rebecca) Kramer, Matt (Catie) Kramer, Dana (Christopher) Zebrowski, Laura (Courtney) Holland, Eric (Arwen) Rasmussen, Joel (Sally) Rasmussen, Bryan (Johanna) Rasmussen, Kyle (Melissa) Zygarlicke, Neal (Whitney) Zygarlicke, Rob Rasmussen, Erin Rasmussen, Katie Rasmussen, Noah Clough, Zoe Clough, Ada Clough, Ryan Carpenter, and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, two sisters, a son, Joseph, in infancy, and a son, Michael, in 1995.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Marshfield, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 9:30 am until service time. The service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. Rev. Douglas Robertson will officiate. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery at a later date. Military rites will be conducted at the church following the service. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

The family sends its warmest gratitude to nurses Dana from Home Care Recovery and Breanna from St Croix Hospice for their exceptional care, compassion, and guidance.

We will forever appreciate you, Dad, and will always feel your love and guiding hand.

Memorials may be designated to Columbus Catholic High School.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com

News Desk
Author: News Desk

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