Ormah Gene Rasmussen was born May 28, 1929, to Clarissa and Neilius Garnes on their farm on the Irish Ridge. Ormah is the youngest of three siblings, with brother Burnell and sister Carole. She attended grade school at the Kelly Schoolhouse. She graduated Mabel High School in 1946.
Ormah married Warren Rasmussen at the Mabel Parsonage on August 30, 1946. They resided in northern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota their entire lives. Ormah was a homemaker and partner of her husband on the farm located north of Mabel. Her kids and grandkids loved all her baking, especially homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. She loved her community and visiting with her neighbors. She also helped with Meals on Wheels in the Mabel area. She was a life-long member of Scheie Lutheran Church. She was confirmed at Scheie at the age of 12. Ormah served her church in many roles: church council, treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and a member of Rebecca Circle. She never missed a church function. Ormah and Warren were members of the Circle A Saddle Club and the Rawhide Roper’s Club in Blackhammer, Minn. They also enjoyed wagon rides, chuckwagon races, and anything horse-related. Ormah also enjoyed traveling to visit family in Illinois, Arizona, Texas, and various trips with friends. She became a Home Health Aid for Fillmore County. She retired from that position with over 20 years of service. Ormah died at Green Lea Manor, Mabel, Minn., on Sunday May 24, 2020, at the age of 90 years old.
Ormah is survived by five children: Neil (Karen) Rasmussen of Mabel, Owen Rasmussen of Mabel, Jill (Rick) Hauser of Winona, Brett (Rochelle) Rasmussen of North St. Paul, and Boyd (Sara) Rasmussen of St. Charles; daughter-in-law Wanda Rasmussen, Mabel; 14 grandchildren: Terry (Tracie) Rasmussen, Julie (Craig) Marlow, Shelley (Jason) Carolan, Kathy Jo (Dusty) Hagar, Pam (Michael) Graner, Tara (Dan) Kreidermacher, Lance (Jessie) Rasmussen, Kara (Jack), Sheena (Matt), Blake, Luke, Emma, Micah, and Asher; 18 great-grandchildren: Samantha (Jason), Amanda, Ethan, Landen, Kelsey (Mitch), Cody, Jessie, Carson, Bentley, Axel, Cole, Austin, Wyatt, Madalynn, Olivia, Max, Raegan, and Reid; six great-great-grandchildren: Reece, Chloe, Clayton, Octavia, Adley, and Caroline. Ormah was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Warren, her sons Terry Lee (infant) and Barry (age 67).
Due to the current COVID situation, there will be a private family service at 11 a.m., Friday, May 29 at the Scheie Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.