RASMUSON, Augusta C. (1858-1956)

RASMUSON, OLSON, OLSEN, HAMPE, KRAMBEER, KNOEDLER, WILLSON

Posted By: DiAnn Reindl (email)
Date: 12/9/2007 at 21:58:19

OBIT - The Britt News Tribune

Born in Denmark, Came to Hancock County in 1875

Funeral services for Mrs. R. S. (Augusta) Rasmuson were held Saturday, Dec. 22 with a prayer service at the Boughton Funeral Home and the regular chruch service at 1:30 p.m. at the Britt Congregational church in Britt. The Rev. Clyde V. Erwin officiated.

Burial was made in the family lot in Evergreen Cemetery at Britt. Grandsons served as pallbearers.

Mrs. Rasmuson died Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 19, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. P. Healy, where she had made her home since the death of Mr. Rasmuson in 1935. Mrs. Rasmuson had been bedfast only a couple of weeks prior to her death, having attained the age of 98 years, 7 months and 5 days.

Born in Lolland, Denmark, May 14, 1858, a daughter to Mr. & Mrs. Claus Romme, Augusta was seperated from her mother by death at the age of two years. She then was taken to the home of her grandfather, Erik Pedersen and reared by her uncle and aunt, Mr. & Mrs. Jorgen Jensen.

In 1870 this family came to the States, the voyage from Copenhagen to New York required three weeks. The family first settled at Sheffield, Ill. After a year they went to Hudson, Wis., by boat and from there walked fifteen miles to Hammond, their destination.

At Hammond, Augusta Romme (Jensen) met R. S. Rasmuson, whom she married in 1874. He, too was a native of Lolland, Denmark, having come to the States in 1866. In October of 1875, Mr. & Mrs.. Rasmuson with two other families and three covered wagons drawn by horses and with 27 head of cattle set out from Wisconsin for Hancock County, Iowa with Britt as their destination.

They spent their first winter with friends and in the spring moved to a rented farm northeast of Britt. That year they built a house on their own land and became true pioneers of Hancock County, witnessing all the hardships - the grasshopper plagues, the wet seasons, financial panicas, but their faith in Hancock County never failed. Their home was a welcome haven for friends.

Mrs. Rasmuson was a busy woman in addition to doing her work, helping her husband, rearing her family, she found time to take in roomers and boarders. For years she roomed and boarded school teachers. She roomed and boraded men working on the M & St. L Railroad which was built in 1880. At that time the Rasmuson granary was set up as sleeping quarters for the men.

In 1893, Mr. & Mrs. Rasmuson retired to a home on North Main Street in Britt. There they lived happily until the death of Mr. Rasmuson on Dec. 17-4, 1935. The couple observed their Golden Wedding anniversary on 1924.

Two of the four children, all born in Britt Township, Hancock County, Iowa, survive the passing of the mother. The two sons, Louis H., died Dec. 14, 1944 and William J., Nov. 8, 1953. The two daughters, Mrs. Tena (E.P. Healy), Britt and Mrs. Emma (Fred) Hill of Oak Park, Ill. survive, as well as ten grandsons, twenty-three great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Also surviving asre two brothers and one sister, James Romme, Cedar Falls, Iowa; John Romme, Rock Island, Ill.; and Mrs. Claudia Readers, Sheffield, ILL.

Mrs. Rasmuson was a member of the Congregational church and enjoyed her work with the church as long as health permitted. She was a member of the Royal Neighbor lodge for more than 50 years; a charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and had been a member of the Social Art Club more than 60 years.