Rita I. Rasmussen

FOREST CITY - Rita Rasmussen, 87, of Forest City, died Sunday, June 16, 2013, at Twin Oaks Health and Rehab Center in Lansing, KS.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, June 20, 2013 at St. James Catholic Church in Forest City, with Fr. Dennis Miller officiating.

Burial will be in St. James Catholic Cemetery in Forest City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM, Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at Petersen Lund Funeral Home - 505 N. Clark St., Forest City and continue one hour prior to services at the church. A Rosary Service will be held at 6:45 PM.

Rita Irene Rasmussen, the daughter of Victor and Viola (Doughan) Loebig, was born August 21, 1925 in Wesley, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley, Iowa, where she also attended grade school. Following high school in Britt, Iowa, Rita taught at a rural school in Hancock County for two years. She fell in love with Kenneth Rasmussen and the two were married at St. Joseph's on November 9, 1944.

Rita and Ken farmed for 6 years near Wesley, Iowa, before moving to a farm near Leland, Iowa, in 1950. In 1967, Rita joined the United States Postal Service in Leland where she served as clerk and then postmaster for 20 years until her retirement in 1987. Following retirement, Rita and Ken moved to Forest City and enjoyed spending winter months in Arizona.

She spent the last five years of her life in Kansas living near her daughter, Mary Forslund. She was a charter member of the residents at Santa Marta Health Plaza in Olathe, Kansas. She was also a charter member of the residents of Twin Oaks Health and Rehab Center in Lansing, Kansas.

Rita thoroughly loved her family and many friends - many of whom she socialized with at her beloved St. James Catholic Church in Forest City. She was a member of the St James Ladies Guild, and St James Choir member. She served on the first Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Board, St James Advisory Board, St James Board of Education and taught CCD classes for many years. She also catalogued St James's Library which won national honors. Most will remember Rita, however, by her daily presence in the church at her favorite pew in back. From there she would meet and greet fellow church goers with her beautiful smile and cheery outlook.

Rita is survived by her children; Mary (John) Forslund of Leavenworth, Kansas, and Tom (Bonnie) Rasmussen of Lake Elmo, Minnesota. She also had 5 grandchildren, Martha (Randy) Linscott of Kansas City, Kansas: Michelle (Tim) Carter of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois; Mary (Paul) Rasmussen Ahlers of Woodbury, Minnesota; Lori (Hannes) Egbers also of Woodbury, Minnesota; and Karin Rasmussen of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rita was blessed with 8 great grandchildren: Hayden, Emma, and Maeve Linscott; Kara and Keith Carter; Leah and Rachel Ahlers; and Isla Egbers.

Rita is survived by three sisters; Sister Mary Jo Loebig, Ellen (Ed) McManus, and Kay (Larry) Cook.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Rasmussen (March 18, 1996); son, Randy (August 1, 1966); infant daughter, Gerardia (October 17, 1958); her parents, Victor and Viola Loebig; and three brothers, Merle, John, and Elry (Al) Loebig.

Memorials preferred to Catholic Community Hospice, 9740 West 87th St., Overland Park, Kansas 66212