Calvin Joseph Rasmussen

Calvin Joseph Rasmussen, age 85, of rural Scranton, Iowa passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Pleasant Ridge Community Church near Glidden with Pastor Brian Hodge officiating. Organist for the service will be Mrs. Joan Bundt and pianist will be Susan Moore. Visitation will be held from 5 – 8 P.M. at Pleasant Ridge Community Church near Glidden where there will be a prayer service at 7:00 P.M.. Casket bearers will be Calvin’s Grandchildren. Burial will be in the Scranton Township Cemetery near Scranton with military honors by the National Guard of Boone. Born on November 16, 1924 in Hartland, Wisconsin, he was the son of Joseph and Anena (Carlson) Rasmussen. His father was a Lutheran minister and Cal lived in several locations while growing up. His family moved to Scranton in 1932 and he graduated from Scranton High School in 1942. After high school he farmed near Scranton and took a winter course at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis. This is where he met Kathlyn Eileen Slattum. They were married on September 2, 1950 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joice, Iowa, by his father Rev. Joseph Rasmussen. He was drafted into the United States Army on November 12, 1950 and served two years stationed at Camp Rucker in Alabama. After the military he farmed near Sheffield and Lidderdale before moving back to the family farm near Scranton where the couple raised their family. He was a member of the Gideons, he served as an elder for many years at Pleasant Ridge Community Church, he was a past member of the Scranton American Legion, OMS International, and the two cylinder club. He was currently a Trustee on the Scranton Township Cemetery Board and had served on the Scranton Elevator Board. Calvin was a lifelong farmer and farming was his passion. In his spare time he enjoyed traveling, spending the winters in Arizona for 22 years, and spending time with his family. Surviving are his wife Eileen of rural Scranton; a daughter Juli Pritchett (Jim) of Cambridge, Iowa; a son Kevin Rasmussen (Jean) of Glidden; a daughter Renae Dunkelberger (Dave) of Waconia, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a brother David Rasmussen (Julie) of Clancy, Montana; a brother Leo Rasmussen (Mary) Punta Gorda of Florida; a brother Phil Rasmussen (Terry) of Forest City, Iowa; a sister Janet Mehr (John) of Dumfries, Virginia; a sister-in-law Junice DeGroot (Harm) of Sheffield, Iowa; and a brother-in-law Arden Slattum (Marlyss) of Orland Park, Illinois; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.