Published in The Enterprise, November 25, 1982

SERVICES ARE ON SATURDAY FOR DR. RASMUSSEN

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Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 27, at First Lutheran Church in Blair for Dr. Elmer Rasmussen, 72, who died November 24, 1982, in Blair’s Memorial Community Hospital after a lengthy illness.

Dr. C. C. Madsen and the Rev. Carl Schattauer, Jr., will conduct the services. Burial will be in Blair Cemetery.

Elmer Rasmussen was born in Clifton, Illinois, on January 2, 1910, to Morten and Patrea Madison Rasmussen. Following his graduation from Clifton High School, he worked on farms rented by his father, managing them for several years.

He graduated from Dana College in 1939 with a bachelor of arts degree and received a master’s degree from Columbia University in 1940. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1952.

In 1940–41, he taught in Drewry Practice High School of Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama. He came to Dana College to teach education in August 1941. Over the next 35 years he served as instructor in education, as professor of psychology, dean of the college, dean of students, registrar and director of counseling. He retired from Dana in 1976 with the rank of professor emeritus of psychology and education.

He was given the 1974 Dana Distinguished Alumnus Award on May 25, 1974. He received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree, honoris causa, from Dana College may 13, 1979.

He served almost 27 years on the Blair Board of Education. He belonged to the American Psychological Association, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the American Personnel and Guidance Association, and the Nebraska State Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. He was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa, honorary educational societies.

He also served First Lutheran Church as Sunday school teacher and superintendent and as a member of the church council, holding the position of president. He was active in PTA and was Blair’s first PTA president. He also served as a Cub Scout Leader.

He married Myrtle Lee on June 12, 1941, in Deerfield, Illinois. She survives.

Other survivors include one daughter, Phyllis Rasmussen, Washington, D.C.; and three sons, David Rasmussen, Grand Forks, North Dakota; Richard Rasmussen, Des Moines, Iowa; and Gary Rasmussen, Waverly, Nebraska. Two grandchildren; three brothers, Oliver Rasmussen and Walter Rasmussen, Clifton, Illinois; and Victor Rasmussen, Bradley, Illinois; and one sister, Mrs. Ray (Astrid) Nordmeyer, Orum, Utah, also survive him.

Campbell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for the services.