Dean P. Rasmussen, 68, of Decorah, formerly of the Hesper area, died Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Wellington Place in Decorah.
Dean was born August 16, 1958, in Decorah, Iowa, to Vernon and Lylas (Gjetley) Rasmussen. He attended the Hesper and Canton schools before graduating from Mabel-Canton High School in 1976. He earned an associate’s degree in agribusiness from NICC. He worked for various cooperatives, worked for several years as a crop adjuster, and farmed in the Hesper area.
Dean was a member of Hesper Lutheran Church, where he had served on the church council. He enjoyed traveling, playing softball, riding his motorcycle, playing cards, spending time with his nieces and nephews, and driving his Allis-Chalmers tractor, which he later donated to the Toot and Whistle Club.
Dean is survived by three sisters: Sheila (Tom) Norby of Canton, Minnesota, Sharon (Gary) Hanson of Spring Grove, Minnesota, and Carol (Gordon) Gaustad of Decorah, Iowa; and three brothers: Alan of Decorah, Iowa, Craig (Joan) of Mabel, Minnesota, and Paul (Valerie) Olson of Marquette, Michigan. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Angela, Holly, Melissa, Valerie, Lisa, Jenny, Andy, Emily, Jessie, Heather and Kayla.
He was preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Lylas, a sister, Joan Fay Whalen; and a sister-in-law, Kris Rasmussen.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, September 14, at Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, Iowa, with the Reverend David Werges officiating. Burial will be in Hesper Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials are preferred to Hesper Lutheran Church or WinnMed Hospice in lieu of flowers. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.
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