The Life of JAMES EDWIN RASMUSSEN
James Edwin Rasmussen, 66, died peacefully at his home October 15, 2003 surrounded by his family after a heroic battle against lung cancer.
James was born in Sioux Falls, SD on December 14, 1936 to the late Nina and Lillis Rasmussen. He grew up in the town of Viborg, SD, and enjoyed horses and farming adventures with his rural friends. Jim graduated from Vigorg High School in 1955 and attended Grandview College in Des Moines and Macalester College in St. Paul where he earned an accounting degree in 1959.
Jim married Sandra Kay Jensen on January 30, 1960 at Luther Memorial Church in Des Moines. Luther Memorial was their home congregation and an important component of their lives. Jim accepted an accounting position at Glidden Paint Company in Chicago, IL, following military duty after graduation. Sandra and Jim lived in Chicago for almost three years before Jim accepted a position as an estimator at Sandra''s family''s bridge business, Jensen Construction Company in Des Moines. It is in this position that Jim flourished. Under his leadership and direction, the company ventured into the difficult and risky business of constucting bridges over large rivers. Jim and his loyal employees became experts of the Missouri and other rivers in the middle section of the United States. Many of the bridges in the Des Moines metro area were constructed under Jim''s direction. The bridge company expanded over the years to include related construction ventures in mining, trucking, permit hauling, paving, road grinding and other ventures which were combined under the umbrella of The Rasmussen Group, Inc. Jim is survived by hundreds of dedicated and talented employees who were blessed by his leadership.
In 1993, Jim was invited to serve as a member of the Racing Association of Central Iowa (RACI) that held the license for gaming at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. He was elected Chairman of the Board of RACI in 1995. The racetrack had been in bankruptcy and was a magnet for controversy. Nonetheless, Jim decided to give of his talents, namely his excellent business acument and integrity, to help make Prairie Meadows successful. Jim donated thousands of hours of hard work over the years. During his involvement, Prairie Meadows contributied over 250 million dollars to Polk County and local charities. His abilities to reach compromise, face challenges with a clear and calm head, and bring out the best in people were invaluable assets in his tenure with Prairie Meadows. Jim retired at Chairman of the Board of RACI in 2003.
Although Jim''s life was full on a professional level, his greatest joy was family. During his 43 years of marriage to Sandra, they were blessed with three sons: Scott, Kurt and Jeff. While the children were still living at home, the family enjoyed sprint car racing with a car sponsored by the construction company. Jim and Sandra both loved horses and horseracing. The family spent hours playing and relaxing at their horse farm, River Ridge Ranch, and attending races at Prairie Meadows. They also loved to ski at Keystone, CO, and enjoyed boating in Florida. Many family and friends shared the trips and memories. The three sons each married and the daughters-in-law, Coco, Lynette and Brenda, gave Jim the joy of girls in the house. Jim''s six grandchildren, Alex (14), Mariah (11), Sanna (9), Olivia (8), Karl (6) and Sammy (3) brought him immeasurable pride and joy. The family shared endless memories and precious moments together.
Jim, our beloved friend, husband, father, uncle and grandfather, is with the Lord, his Savior, and will alwyas live in our hearts. He will be missed.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 19 from 12-6, at Hamilton''s Near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 121 NW 60th Ave. in Des Moines. Family will be present from 4-6. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Ave. Due to the limited seating, overflow seating will be available at the Scottish Rite Temple Auditorium, 519 Park St. in downtown Des Moines. Parking will be available at either the Center Street Park & Ride on 6th & Center, or the 5th & Keo Parking Ramp on 5th and Watson Powell Jr. Way. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. For those wishing to attend the burial service, shuttles will be available from Scottish Rite Temple. At 1:00 p.m., there will be a Celebration of Life memorial service at the Scottish Rite Temple Auditorium. Refreshment and fellowship will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the charity of your choice or to the Chaplaincy Program at Prairie Meadows where the funds will be directed for childcare for the backside stable workers.
James was born in Sioux Falls, SD on December 14, 1936 to the late Nina and Lillis Rasmussen. He grew up in the town of Viborg, SD, and enjoyed horses and farming adventures with his rural friends. Jim graduated from Vigorg High School in 1955 and attended Grandview College in Des Moines and Macalester College in St. Paul where he earned an accounting degree in 1959.
Jim married Sandra Kay Jensen on January 30, 1960 at Luther Memorial Church in Des Moines. Luther Memorial was their home congregation and an important component of their lives. Jim accepted an accounting position at Glidden Paint Company in Chicago, IL, following military duty after graduation. Sandra and Jim lived in Chicago for almost three years before Jim accepted a position as an estimator at Sandra''s family''s bridge business, Jensen Construction Company in Des Moines. It is in this position that Jim flourished. Under his leadership and direction, the company ventured into the difficult and risky business of constucting bridges over large rivers. Jim and his loyal employees became experts of the Missouri and other rivers in the middle section of the United States. Many of the bridges in the Des Moines metro area were constructed under Jim''s direction. The bridge company expanded over the years to include related construction ventures in mining, trucking, permit hauling, paving, road grinding and other ventures which were combined under the umbrella of The Rasmussen Group, Inc. Jim is survived by hundreds of dedicated and talented employees who were blessed by his leadership.
In 1993, Jim was invited to serve as a member of the Racing Association of Central Iowa (RACI) that held the license for gaming at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. He was elected Chairman of the Board of RACI in 1995. The racetrack had been in bankruptcy and was a magnet for controversy. Nonetheless, Jim decided to give of his talents, namely his excellent business acument and integrity, to help make Prairie Meadows successful. Jim donated thousands of hours of hard work over the years. During his involvement, Prairie Meadows contributied over 250 million dollars to Polk County and local charities. His abilities to reach compromise, face challenges with a clear and calm head, and bring out the best in people were invaluable assets in his tenure with Prairie Meadows. Jim retired at Chairman of the Board of RACI in 2003.
Although Jim''s life was full on a professional level, his greatest joy was family. During his 43 years of marriage to Sandra, they were blessed with three sons: Scott, Kurt and Jeff. While the children were still living at home, the family enjoyed sprint car racing with a car sponsored by the construction company. Jim and Sandra both loved horses and horseracing. The family spent hours playing and relaxing at their horse farm, River Ridge Ranch, and attending races at Prairie Meadows. They also loved to ski at Keystone, CO, and enjoyed boating in Florida. Many family and friends shared the trips and memories. The three sons each married and the daughters-in-law, Coco, Lynette and Brenda, gave Jim the joy of girls in the house. Jim''s six grandchildren, Alex (14), Mariah (11), Sanna (9), Olivia (8), Karl (6) and Sammy (3) brought him immeasurable pride and joy. The family shared endless memories and precious moments together.
Jim, our beloved friend, husband, father, uncle and grandfather, is with the Lord, his Savior, and will alwyas live in our hearts. He will be missed.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 19 from 12-6, at Hamilton''s Near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 121 NW 60th Ave. in Des Moines. Family will be present from 4-6. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Ave. Due to the limited seating, overflow seating will be available at the Scottish Rite Temple Auditorium, 519 Park St. in downtown Des Moines. Parking will be available at either the Center Street Park & Ride on 6th & Center, or the 5th & Keo Parking Ramp on 5th and Watson Powell Jr. Way. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. For those wishing to attend the burial service, shuttles will be available from Scottish Rite Temple. At 1:00 p.m., there will be a Celebration of Life memorial service at the Scottish Rite Temple Auditorium. Refreshment and fellowship will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the charity of your choice or to the Chaplaincy Program at Prairie Meadows where the funds will be directed for childcare for the backside stable workers.