Anna Rasmusson

Anna Evalyn Rasmusson (“Anna Eagle”) took her last flight on June 30, 2016.

Anna Evalyn (Rasmussen) Rasmusson was born in Hesper Township, Benson County, North Dakota on January 9, 1918 to Johannes (John) Rasmussen and Clara (Erickson) Rasmussen. The oldest of seven children, she grew up on the family farm outside of Maddock, North Dakota. Anna was baptized and confirmed at North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock, ND and attended Benson County High school where she graduated. Her father encouraged her to go to college, and she graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead in 1939 with a degree in biology and teaching. Her first teaching job was at McGrath, MN., near Mille Lacs Lake. There, while chaperoning a dance, she met a young soldier, Gordon Lewis Rasmusson - a brother of one of her students. She married her soldier while he was on leave in McGrath, Minnesota on May 12, 1943. After he mustered out they settled in Wahpeton, ND, where she taught high school while he attended the trade school. They moved to Fergus Falls after Gordon finished school.
With the help of family and friends, Anna and Gordon built their first home in Fergus Falls in 1947, remodeled and expanded their second home on the north side of Fergus Falls as their family grew, and built their dream home on south Swan Lake in the late 60's.
After being primary caregiver for her children, she took a teaching job in Evansville, MN. She continued her teaching career in Fergus Falls where she taught reading and impacted many young lives. In addition to her passion for teaching, she was an avid reader, birder, and a master gardener. She was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She spent the last years of her life at the Broen nursing home, where she was rarely seen without a book in her hands.
As a Cub Scout den leader she started her boys in scouting, passing the baton to Gordon who became the Scoutmaster. All four boys became Eagle Scouts. As adult leader of the Fergus 4-H club, she was an active supporter of 4-H in West Otter Tail County, and project advisor for the gardening projects for the local club youths. In her later years she became a master gardener, and loved raising new roses.

Coffee at Gordy and Anna's often included her home-made foods. For her last years she resided at the Broen home in Fergus Falls where husband Gordon Lewis Rasmusson died, April 21, 2008. She also died at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. She was preceded to heaven by three brothers, John, Roy and Donald; and two sisters, Alice and Helen. She is survived by her youngest sister Donna (Henry Buletti) of New Hampshire, and sister-in-laws, Juanice Rasmussen Laystrom, of Illinois, Joyce Rasmussen of North Dakota and Emma Rasmusson of Minnesota.
Carrying her memory are her children: Karen (Hans) Langsjoen of Fargo, ND, Michael of Moorhead, MN, Marlowe of Rothsay, MN, Stephen (Paula) of Marshall, MN, and Thomas of Fergus Falls, MN; 9 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 102 Junius Ave W, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Olson Funeral Home with public prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume 1-hr prior to the service at the church.

Service: 11 am Friday, July 8, 2016 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls

Interment: Private Family Interment at a later date

Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.

Condolences may be sent online at www. olsonfuneralhome.com