Duane Rasmussen

Funeral services for Duane Rasmussen age 93 of Plainview will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 3 ^rd at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Plainview with Visitation one hour prior to service.  Burial will be in the Danish Cemetery in Rural Plainview.  Duane passed away October 30 ^th at the Edgewood Senior Living in Norfolk, NE.

Duane Edward Rasmussen, son of Rasmus and Clara (Petersen) Rasmussen, was born November 22, 1924 at home in rural Plainview, Nebraska.  Duane was their only child, and 74 years of his life were lived in that home.

Duane was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, west of Plainview. He graduated from District 50 rural school in Antelope county then graduated from Plainview High School in 1941.

Duane farmed, raising crops and livestock, six miles west and one north of Plainview into his mid 80’s except for a period of military service as radioman 3 ^rd Class for the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946.

On November 7, 1954 Duane was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Engel at Bethany Lutheran Church.  Duane’s parents moved into Plainview at the time of his marriage, and Duane and Ruth occupied the farm until 1998, when they moved into Plainview.  They shared 46 years of marriage which included Duane caring for Ruth until her death from cancer in 2001.

Duane and Ruth were parents to Lauren, Chris, Steve, and Ted. Special family memories include evening drives to Grove Lake for picnics and fishing, Duane’s nightly large bowl of homegrown popped corn saturated with lard and butter, and weekend card playing nights.

Duane lived in Brookdale in Wayne, Nebraska for a period of 3 ½ years, then resided at Edgewood Vista in Norfolk, Nebraska for an additional 3 months where he passed away, October 30, 2018, almost to his 94 ^th birthday.  He battled dementia with grace and a sweet spirit, ready with a tease or chuckle for those caring for him.

Duane’s beautiful tenor voice graced many quartets, special occasion solos, and a lifetime of choir performances. He and Ruth loved to dance and participate in card clubs.  Bowling League was his weekly enjoyment for over 40 years, as well.  He was a member of American Legion VFW Post 148 , Claire Fryer.   In addition,  Duane was a regular Red Cross blood donor.

He will be remembered as a quiet, simple man of faith, serving in his membership congregation, Our Savior’s Lutheran, Plainview, Nebraska, in many ways. Duane lived with integrity, and his genuine kindness to all are examples to those he leaves behind.

Duane was preceeded in death by his parents and wife plus a brother in law, Vernon Engel and sister/brother in law,  Marva and Julian Cheney.

Survivors include daughter Lauren Kay(spouse Allan Walton) of Wayne; his sons Chris David of Plainview, Steven Duane(spouse Annette Lauritsen) of Wayne; and Ted Edward(spouse Denise Prugh) of Casper, Wyoming. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren- Lisa Berge, Katie Wiseman and Carrie Wendte; Joshua, Zachary, Dane and Drew Rasmussen plus 9 great grandchildren, sister in law Ina Beth Engel, and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.