Vernon “Vern” D. Rasmussen, age 84 of Clintonville passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, February 3, 2015 following a battle with cancer.
Vern was born on April 11, 1930 in Marshfield, WI as the son of the late Olaf and Sarah (Jacobson) Rasmussen. He graduated from Marshfield High School in 1948 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. He honorably served his country as a tail-gunner on a B-29 during the Korean War. Vern was stationed in Alaska at Elmendorf Air Force Base and later at the Air War College in Montgomery, AL. After his discharge, Vern returned home and later graduated from UW Stevens Point. He was united in marriage to Joyce Burt on August 31, 1957 in Marshfield. The couple moved to Clintonville where Vern taught Chemistry at Clintonville High School for 34 years, retiring in 1992. During his teaching career, Vern received numerous science scholarships and always enjoyed visiting with former students. He loved spending time in the outdoors; especially when it came to teaching his sons about all it had to offer. Vern loved hunting and fishing and firmly believed in leaving the outdoors better than you found it. He was instrumental in forming the Conservation Club at the high school and was an instructor for the hunter safety program in town. He also had a passion for trap shooting, especially as a member of the Clintonville Trap Shooting League. Vern was a current member of the United Methodist Church in Clintonville as well as a member of the American Legion Post #63. He will be remembered for his love of educating people and will be missed greatly by his loved ones.
Survivors include: his wife Joyce, of 57 years; sons, Scott (fiancée, Jacqueline Schaffer) Rasmussen, Weyauwega, and Kurt (Colleen) Rasmussen, Cottage Grove, MN; three grandchildren: Jordyn, Cole, and Nicholas Rasmussen; and also a sister, Velva Jean (Don) Seehafer, Manitowoc. Vern was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond (Rita) Rasmussen.
A memorial service will be held for Vern on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Clintonville with Rev. Keith Wolf officiating. Military honor rites will be conducted outside of the church following the service by members of the Clintonville American Legion Post #63 and VFW Post #664. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting his family with the arrangements. An online guestbook for Vern can be found at www.eberhardtstevenson.com. Vern’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Bar-Lev, Amy Hein, Jennifer Hart, and the staff at Theda Care at Home Hospice for the outstanding care Vern received during their visits.