Raynold Howard Rasmussen

Raynold Howard Rasmussen, the son of Knud and Karen Jorgensen Rasmussen, was born October 27, 1924, at his parents home near Atlantic, Iowa and died September 3, 2009, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 84 years, 10 months, and 6 days.
Howard was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He attended rural schools in the Audubon and Exira areas, then helped operate the family farm. In 1942, he was inducted into the U. S. Army. During his tour of duty he served as a cook in the African and European Theater. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to help operate the family farm and operated a bulldozer for Raymond Nelsen and others building dams and terraces.
On October 26, 1948, he was united in marriage to Elaine Miller at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They operated farms in Guthrie County and Audubon County before purchasing their farm west of Exira. They raised livestock and grain and in addition to farming Howard was employed at Emmert Manufacturing in Audubon for many years. Howard operated a bulldozer for Missouri Valley Limestone Company for several years. He retired from farming in the 1980s. During retirement Howard enjoyed fishing, working outside on his farm and especially enjoyed having coffee and cookies. Howard enjoyed playing his accordion and piano and enjoyed company. Howard was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, then transferred to the Exira Lutheran Church.
Preceding him in death were his son David Rasmussen; his son-in-law Larry Faga; his parents; his brothers: Leroy Rasmussen and Donald Rasmussen; his brothers-in-law: Donald Rose; Bruno Lauritsen and Harold Madison and his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Hans C. and Lydia Miller.
Survivors include his wife Elaine Rasmussen of Exira, IA; his children: Sherri Faga; Debra and Keith Fahn and Julie and Jim Hoffman, all of Carroll, IA; Kristi and Steve Reed of Genoa, NE; his grandchildren: Cindy and Matt Marchese of Lake Peekskill, NY; Chad Sorensen of Exira; Ben Fahn of Carroll; Jessica Fahn and Jennifer Fahn, both of Ankeny, IA; his great-grandchildren: Paige Sorensen and Dawsen Sorensen, both of Marne, IA; Amanda Marchese of Lake Peekskill; his brother Lloyd Rasmussen of Boston, MA; his sisters-in-law: Gwen Rasmussen of Hollsopple, PA; Rozelle Madison of Audubon, IA; and Wanda Rose of Omaha, NE; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery west of Exira.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Sunday afternoon at 5:00 at Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kathy Wicks on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at Exira Lutheran Church in Exira.