Dean Byron RASMUSSEN

RASMUSSEN, JACOBSON, CAMPBELL, WESTLING, SOMA, TAYLOR, CHRISTENSEN, NAPIER, FRANKLIN, BELL, HANSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:55

January 30, 1936 --- January 15, 2018

Dean Byron Rasmussen was born on January 30, 1936, along with twin sister Doris, to Alfred Theodore and Alma Kristine (Jacobson) Rasmussen on their family farm northwest of Goldfield, Iowa. Other siblings, now deceased, included brothers Larry & Virgil and sisters Bernita & Ethel. Dean was very proud of his Danish heritage and enjoyed being called "The Great Dane"!

Dean attended Humboldt County country school K1 through 5th grade. He completed his 6th through 12th grade education at Renwick Independent Elementary School. After graduation Dean chose to enlist in the United States Air Force, serving from June 1954 – June 1958 with the rank of A1C (Airman First Class). He was very proud of his military service, which consisted of the following training: Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX; Aircraft Maintenance Engine Training for 6 months at Wichita Falls, TX and Aircraft Maintenance in Roswell, NM for 2 years, serving as an aircraft mechanic for B-36 bomber planes. He was last stationed at Travis Air Base in San Francisco, CA. While there he was deployed for a 3 month tour of duty at Anderson Air Force Base on the island of Guam in the Western Pacific in 1956 and a 3 month tour of duty at Hickman Air Force Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in December, 1956. He was very proud, yet humble, whenever recognized for his military service.

Following an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force in 1958, Dean was married to the love of his life, Yvonne Arlene Campbell, on December 28, 1958 at the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church. Dean met Yvonne on one of his military leaves, through a double date with Yvonne's brother Donald Campbell and Dean's sister Ethel (who also married in 1958). Dean and Yvonne made their home in Eagle Grove and have lived in the same home since they were married. They were blessed with 4 children, son Mark Allen in 1961, daughter Colleen Lynn in 1963 and twins – son Darin Lee & daughter Diane Marie in 1967. Dean's wife and family meant everything to him and he was very proud of all of his kids and grandkids and also happy to have recently celebrated 59 years of marriage.

Dean was a very hard working man and was employed by Earl Hansen John Deere Implement, Oldson Plumbing & Heating and Propane Gas Co-op. He also worked for Iowa Public Service/Mid-American Energy as a journeyman lineman. After choosing to take early retirement from Mid-American Energy in 1996 he decided to venture out with his own independent business – Rasmussen Electric & Gas Service, which he operated for 10 years from 1996 – 2006. He loved being self-employed!

Dean was active and involved during his lifetime with Jaycees, the United Methodist Church, and the Eagle Grove Senior Citizens Center - where he helped with Bingo weekly and helped deliver Meals On Wheels regularly. In August of 2017 Dean and Yvonne were awarded the Governors Volunteer Award for Service, being recognized for nearly two decades of outstanding service at the Eagle Grove Senior Citizens Center. In addition to all his work and trade skills, Dean was also a very handy carpenter and taught all that he knew to his sons and son-in-law and took great pride in his worn out hammer. He and Yvonne both tirelessly helped all his children when needed or asked on many of their home projects, remodels and repairs as well. Dean took pride in having a nice car and keeping it looking nice all the time on both the inside and outside. He also loved to keep his lawn looking nice and for a number of years loved to plant bedding flowers with a "trending" message or symbol appropriate for the year on a large curb/corner section of his yard. Another pastime Dean & Yvonne enjoyed together was planting, nurturing and harvesting a huge garden. It was a full spring/summer/fall undertaking and the wonderful produce was shared with family and friends.

Dean enjoyed traveling throughout his life and he and Yvonne made several trips to visit their younger daughter in various locations from coast-to-coast. Dean was able to enjoy many active years of retirement with Yvonne and they were blessed to be able to make numerous trips, some of which included destinations to Hawaii, Canada, Alaska, New York, New Mexico and the Grand Canyon, among others.

Dean loved nature and animals, especially dogs. He enjoyed sports, a good game of volleyball in his younger years and loved following the Minnesota Vikings and Iowa Hawkeyes. Other interests were playing card games, completing word finds and putting together challenging puzzles.

Anyone who knew Dean well, knew that when it came to technology, Dean was "old school" and did not care for cell phones, computers or even talking on the phone. Dean always felt the best way to communicate with someone was in person face-to-face and he had an infectious warm smile. He loved his daily coffee with "the guys" at the Family Table restaurant and loved to occasionally get permission to bring in homemade Kringla made by his daughter to share with the guys. Dean lived by example and instilled the following in his children - the importance of having a very strong work ethic, keeping your word, always trying to do the right thing, having faith, keeping a great sense of humor, being grateful for the simple things in life and maintaining a positive attitude.

Dean suffered a massive stroke on Friday, January 5, 2018 and was flown by Life Flight to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, where he underwent brain surgery to stop the bleeding in his brain. He remained in ICU following his surgery however never fully regained consciousness. Dean passed away on Monday, January 15, 2018 with his wife and family by his side. Dean was a man of great faith and had previously stated on numerous occasions that he had lived a long good life. His family takes comfort knowing he is at peace and resting in his heavenly home. Dean will be missed by his family, friends and so many others.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Alfred & Alma, his 2 brothers Virgil & Larry, sisters Bernita Westling & Ethel Campbell, father & mother-in-law Gaius & Verla Campbell, brothers and sisters-in-law Patricia Rasmussen, Morris & Joan Campbell, Charles Campbell, Billy Campbell (in infancy) and niece Kimberly Rasmussen.

Left to cherish his memory are his faithful wife Yvonne, son Mark (Erica), Des Moines, IA; daughter Colleen (Dan) Soma, Eagle Grove, IA; son Darin (Camille), Clive, IA and daughter Diane Taylor, Abingdon, VA, granddaughters Haley (Andy) Bell, Hannah Soma, Katelyn Scott & Olivia Rasmussen, grandson Dylan Rasmussen and step-granddaughter Brittany Franklin, sister Doris Hanson, brothers and sisters-in-law Robert Westling, Marianne Rasmussen, Marie & Lyle Christensen, Gilbert & Helen Campbell, Sandra Napier, Robert & Sandra Campbell and Paul & Jackie Campbell, many nieces, nephews & cousins.

Visitation -- Thursday, January 18, 2018
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM -- Foust Funeral Home, 103 N. Cadwell Ave., Eagle Grove, IA

Funeral Service --- Friday, January 19, 2018
10:30 AM -- United Methodist Church, 421 W. Broadway, Eagle Grove, IA

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