Richard J. Rasmussen, age 84, of Mabel, Minn., and formerly of Hesper, Iowa, died Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel.
Richard was born August 1, 1933, in Amherst, to Otto and Myrtle (Erickson) Rasumssen. He attended the Mabel High School. In 1952 he married Shirley Peterson. They later divorced. They operated the Tasty Freeze in Caledonia while also working on the family farm near Hesper, Iowa. He later moved onto that farm where he later also had a body shop. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tractor pulls, and cars (buying, fixing, selling).
Richard is survived by three children: Rick (Donna) of Hesper, Julie (Arnie) Weiss of Locust, and Susan (David) Amunrud of Mabel; six grandchildren: Nels (Becky) Rasmussen, Eric Rasmussen, Jennifer Rasmussen, Adam (Allison) Weiss, Kristen (Dane) Mosel, and Ben Weiss (special friend Meg); four great-grandchildren: Carson, Jevin, Riley, and Ellie; and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister and her husband Mary Ann and Marcellus Ranzenberger.
Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, January 20 at the Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, Iowa, with Rev. Matt Larson officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church on Saturday prior to the service. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.