Published in The Enterprise, February 6, 1974

DUANE RASMUSSEN DIED LATE TUESDAY

Duane Leland Rasmussen, well known Blair man and former contractor and builder here, died suddenly Tuesday evening at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. He had been in failing health for many months.

He was born April 2, 1933 at Orum, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Rasmussen and would have been 31 years of age had he lived two more months.

He attended school at Orum and later graduated from Blair High School. On November 18, 1956 he was married to Ruth Madsen and to this union two sons were born. They are David Duane and Scott Howard.

For a number of years Duane was engaged in the building and contracting business and he constructed a number of homes in Blair. Failing health prompted him to leave the construction business and he moved with his family to Laurens, Iowa, a year ago to enter farming, hoping that outdoor work would benefit his health. He farmed for a year but was forced to give this up late last fall. He returned to Blair with his family shortly before Christmas.

Since that time he has been confined to the Dodge County and the Clarkson hospitals, undergoing treatment for diabetes. Death came suddenly Tuesday evening following a day of apparent improvement.

He is survived by his wife and two sons; his father, George Rasmussen; and a sister, Mrs. James Andreasen, of Kennard; and a brother, Gene Rasmussen, of Fremont.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00 P.M. at the First Lutheran Church with the Rev. George Pallesen conducting the service. Burial under the direction of E.R. Kinnison will be made in the Blair Cemetery.