Dennis E. Rasmussen, age 65, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Dennis Edward Rasmussen was born July 17, 1945 in Creston, Iowa the son of Henry Edward and Pauline Ruth (Karwal) Rasmussen. He attended school in Elliott and Griswold graduating from Griswold High School in 1963. He served in the United States Navy from 1963-1967 during the Vietnam War. He was a Quarter Master on the USS Kearsarge. Dennis lived all of his life in the Red Oak and Elliott area, where he drove a truck over the road for many years, then worked for the Trailways Bus Line, Home Medical Equipment Company, and owned and operated Rasmussen Iron and Metal Company. He was united in marriage to Diane Bates in 1967 and two daughters were born to this union: Cindy and Valerie. He later married Linda Eden on October 27, 1977 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Three children were born to this union: Marcus, Jessica, and Matthew. Denny’s hobbies included scrapping metal, collecting coins, reading, fishing, camping, and cooking, including barbecuing. He always loved having family get togethers and listening to good music like Johnny Cash, George Jones, or Patsy Kline. He also enjoyed history. His family and friends describe him as a very giving person who would give you his last dollar or the shirt off his back if you needed the help. He loved conversation, could chat about anything, and loved spending time with family and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; uncle: Paul Karwal; aunt: Mary Holtmeyer and her husband Vernon; brother-in-law: Melvin Eden; sister-in-law: Hannah Steinbach; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Mabel and Joe Holloway; and special friend: Walter Schmelling. Survivors include his wife: Linda Rasmussen of Red Oak, IA; children: Cindy Skidmore of Chehalis, WA; Valerie Kalusniak and husband Kevin of Platte City, MO; Marcus Rasmussen and special friend MyKayla of Red Oak, IA; Jessica Rasmussen of Elliott, IA; and Matthew Rasmussen of Red Oak, IA; adopted daughter: Dee Skidmore of Red Oak, IA; son-in-law: Ron Skidmore of Emerson, IA; grandchildren: Paige Johnson and Demi Skidmore of Emerson, IA; Kayla, Koryn, Seth, and Ethan Kalusniak of Platte City, MO; and Alex Rasmussen of Red Oak, IA; aunt: Vivian Karwal of Grant, Iowa; sisters: Diane Adams and friend Steve of Shenandoah, IA and Denise Wilson and husband Mark of Elliott, IA; brothers: Ronnie Rasmussen and wife Linda of Elliott, IA and Merlin Rasmussen of Red Oak, IA; brothers-in-law: Mike Adams of Clarinda, IA; Doug Jones of Red Oak, IA; Darrell Eden and wife Kathy of Red Oak, IA; Roger Eden and wife Kris of Lincoln, NE; and Clarence Steinbach of Guss, IA; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Denny passed away 5 years to the day after his mother, and his funeral will be on February 14th, the same as his mother’s