Bernadine Janet (Norton) Rassmussen (1921 - 2014)

Born 20 Jun 1921 in Bemidji, Minnesota, United States

Died 21 Dec 2014 at age 93 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, United States

Biography

Obituary

Bernadine Janet (Norton) Rassmussen, age 93, of Grand Rapids, died Sunday, December 21, 2014 at Oak Hill Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, MN.

She was born June 20, 1921 in Bemidji, Minnesota to Benora and Henry James Norton. She was a 1939 graduate of Grand Rapids High School and a 1941 graduate of Itasca Junior College (ICC). She was employed by Grand Rapids State Bank and First Federal Savings & Loan in Minneapolis. She later worked for Dr. John Bonner in Grand Rapids, MN. She married James Duane Rassmussen on October 14, 1944 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. They were married for 62 wonderful years. Bernie was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish where she was active in St. Jean’s Circle for many years and an active member of the Catholic Council of Women. She was also a member of Itasca Memorial Hospital Auxillary as a volunteer for 10 years. Bernie enjoyed baking, sewing, knitting, gardening, reading, card games, spending time with her grandchildren, and conversation with her family, friends & neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James, her son Robert Rassmussen and her two brothers Norris & Don Norton both of Seattle, WA.

She is survived by her three daughters, Peggy (Tom) Karkela of Plymouth, MN., Vickie (Steve) Wilcox of Grand Rapids, MN., Debra (Peter) Edmond of Coon Rapids, MN.; two sons Patrick (Sherry) and Steven both of Grand Rapids, MN; Fourteen grandchildren: Kristi (Eric) Keiper- Maple Grove, MN., Jenny (John) Weeks-Shorewood, MN., Katie (Shane) Cullinan-Wayzata, MN., Ryan Rassmussen-Cottage Grove, MN., Gina (Jason) Anderson-Centerville, MN., Noah Wilcox, Melissa Wilcox of Grand Rapids, MN., Nicholas Wilcox-Long Lake, MN., Wyatt Wilcox of Bozeman, MT., Sarah (Javier) Juarez Wilcox of San Antonio, TX., Brandon Reaves-Wrightsville Beach, NC., Alexander Edmond-Moorhead, MN., Patrick, and Nicole Edmond-Coon Rapids, MN.; and five great grandchildren, Annie & Ryan Keiper, Greta, Erica, and Megan Weeks all from the Minneapolis area; two brother-in-laws, Denny & Donald Rassmussen; four sister-in-laws, Corky, Bonnie, Tatsuko Rassmussen, and Leona Norton, many nieces and nephews, her Knitting Club, her Bridge Club and a multitude of friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 27th from 11:00 am until the 12:00 pm (Noon) Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, MN. Fr. Terry Rassmussen will officiate. Burial will be at the Itasca-Calvary Cemetery at a late date. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the social hall of the church.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Grand Rapids Area Public Library, Itasca Hospice or donor’s choice.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2878754&fh_id=12288