Anker C. Rasmussen
December 1, 1920 — May 21, 2013
Anker Christian Rasmussen was born on December 1, 1920 to George, Sr. and Petrea (Berndthz) Rasmussen near Rorbeck, Iowa, which is now Elk Horn, Iowa. He was baptized at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church, attended Harlan High School and graduated with the Class of 1940 and furthered his education on a football scholarship at Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska.
On July 3, 1942, Anker entered the United States Army and served as a motor inspector during World War II. He was honorably discharged on October 26, 1945 and returned home where one month later, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Alyce Goetz in Panama, Iowa. They became parents to three children: Cheri, Barbara, and Rick.
Anker was a gifted bodyman and worked at E. M. Christensen Auto in Harlan for forty years as shop foreman. He also did the books at the Harlan House Coffee Shop for Alyce. He retired in November of 1993.
He enjoyed golfing, fishing, sports, and watching his grandchildren compete in their sporting events. He was a huge supporter of the Harlan Cyclones, volunteering as a chain gang member and clock operator for the Harlan football team. He attended state track meets, wrestling events, and traveled to the Dome. He created many wonderful memories for his family at the cabin in Lake View, Iowa, and rarely missed the Wednesday trip to the dog track.
Anker willingly opened his home to family members and served as a father figure to his nieces and nephews when their fathers died. He took his grandkids to school and picked them up to go home in �Grandpa�s Taxi�. He was always ready to play cribbage with them.
Anker was recently honored as a seventy year member of the VFW where he had served as Commander. He attended flight breakfasts at the Harlan airport in Corley, was still golfing at age eighty-five, and had recently taken and passed his driver�s license exam.
Anker died at his home on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, having attained the age of ninety-two years, five months, and twenty days. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers: Fred, Tom, Holgar, Andy, Carl, and George.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years Alyce Rasmussen of Harlan, Iowa; daughters Cheri and her husband Gary Holloway of Kirkman, Iowa and Barbara Seeley of Harlan; son Rick Rasmussen and his wife Paulette of Defiance, Iowa; ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Mayme Rasmussen of Harlan, Julie Goetz of Panama, Iowa, and Helen Schmitz of Harlan; other family members, and many friends.
Pastor Leila Blackburn officiated the 10:30 AM funeral service on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. Music was provided by Peggy Doonan and Jan Rau. Honorary casket bearers were Brian Holloway, James Seeley, Steve Nelson, Josh Rasmussen, Jeff Siebert, Rocco Bellantoni, Sam Rasmussen, Matt Anderson, and Joey Treinen. Military Rites were performed by the Defiance and Westphalia American Legion Post No. 702 and Shelby County VFW Post No. 941 with inurnment at Union Township Cemetery in Defiance, Iowa.
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On July 3, 1942, Anker entered the United States Army and served as a motor inspector during World War II. He was honorably discharged on October 26, 1945 and returned home where one month later, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Alyce Goetz in Panama, Iowa. They became parents to three children: Cheri, Barbara, and Rick.
Anker was a gifted bodyman and worked at E. M. Christensen Auto in Harlan for forty years as shop foreman. He also did the books at the Harlan House Coffee Shop for Alyce. He retired in November of 1993.
He enjoyed golfing, fishing, sports, and watching his grandchildren compete in their sporting events. He was a huge supporter of the Harlan Cyclones, volunteering as a chain gang member and clock operator for the Harlan football team. He attended state track meets, wrestling events, and traveled to the Dome. He created many wonderful memories for his family at the cabin in Lake View, Iowa, and rarely missed the Wednesday trip to the dog track.
Anker willingly opened his home to family members and served as a father figure to his nieces and nephews when their fathers died. He took his grandkids to school and picked them up to go home in �Grandpa�s Taxi�. He was always ready to play cribbage with them.
Anker was recently honored as a seventy year member of the VFW where he had served as Commander. He attended flight breakfasts at the Harlan airport in Corley, was still golfing at age eighty-five, and had recently taken and passed his driver�s license exam.
Anker died at his home on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, having attained the age of ninety-two years, five months, and twenty days. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers: Fred, Tom, Holgar, Andy, Carl, and George.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years Alyce Rasmussen of Harlan, Iowa; daughters Cheri and her husband Gary Holloway of Kirkman, Iowa and Barbara Seeley of Harlan; son Rick Rasmussen and his wife Paulette of Defiance, Iowa; ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Mayme Rasmussen of Harlan, Julie Goetz of Panama, Iowa, and Helen Schmitz of Harlan; other family members, and many friends.
Pastor Leila Blackburn officiated the 10:30 AM funeral service on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. Music was provided by Peggy Doonan and Jan Rau. Honorary casket bearers were Brian Holloway, James Seeley, Steve Nelson, Josh Rasmussen, Jeff Siebert, Rocco Bellantoni, Sam Rasmussen, Matt Anderson, and Joey Treinen. Military Rites were performed by the Defiance and Westphalia American Legion Post No. 702 and Shelby County VFW Post No. 941 with inurnment at Union Township Cemetery in Defiance, Iowa.
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