Ruth Esther (Rasmussen) HANSEN

HANSEN, RASMUSSEN, ERSLAND, KLASSE, MAINE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/19/2008 at 09:22:59

July 19, 2008
Fort Dodge Messenger, IA

GOLDFIELD - Ruth Esther Hansen, the daughter of Anton and Mabel (Ersland) Rasmussen, was born on the family farm near Goldfield, Iowa on June 8, 1919. She received her primary education in the local rural school, and graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1937. She then was a teacher at Humboldt County Lake Township Country School from 1937 to 1939. She attended Waldorf College, Forest City, and graduated in 1941. She was an Elementary Teacher at Eagle Grove Public Schools from 1941 to 1943. Ruth was employed as a stewardess/Radio Telephone operator with Mid-Continent Airlines, Sioux Falls, SD from 1943 to 1945. She then taught High School English and American History at Renwick Public Schools from 1945 to 1946. Ruth was united in Marriage with Alvin C. Hansen at Lake Lutheran Church on February 16, 1946. They farmed for 55 years on the family farm from 1946 until retiring in 2000.

Ruth passed away peacefully at Belmond Health Care Center on Thursday, July 17, 2008, at the age of 89 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin on August 18, 2005; and a brother, Robert Rasmussen. Survivors include five children; Dianne Klasse and husband Ron of Fort Dodge, Mark Hansen and wife Mona of Renwick, Steve Hansen of Cedar Rapids, David Hansen of Fort Dodge and Carolyn Maine and husband Jeff of Bettendorf; ten grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother James Rasmussen and wife Jeanette of Elkton, Virginia; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 21, 2008, 10:30 a.m. at Lake Lutheran Church, rural Goldfield, with Pastor Truman Larson officiating. Visitation is Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, rural Goldfield. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.