Arthur John Rasmussen

Arthur John Rasmussen was born to John and Emma Rasmussen on July 12, 1929 in a home in Seattle, Washington. Art was the youngest of four children with siblings June, Grace and Roy. Art’s childhood years included time in Ballard, on a farm near Snohomish, and on Stuart Island in the San Juans where his grandparents had settled after immigrating from Norway. His favorite memories of growing up were times spent on the Island playing with his brother Roy.

During Art’s high school years, the family lived in Seattle. Art graduated from Ballard High in 1948 and started his career in commercial fishing with his father and uncle. As the Korean Conflict unfolded, Art was drafted into the US Army at age 22 and served his country for two years. His engineering unit was responsible for setting up and taking down pontoon bridges so that troops could cross over rivers. Art’s responsibility was operating the outboard engine on the boat. He was stationed primarily in South Carolina and was also stationed in Germany for a few months.

On returning to civilian life, Art resumed fishing and soon after began studies under the G.I. bill at Edison Tech in Seattle, studying architectural drafting. Upon completion of his studies, Art went to work for Signal Oil Company where he designed and provided construction oversight of gas stations across the Puget Sound region from the mid 1950’s through the mid 60’s.

It was during this time that Art was introduced through a mutual friend to Ethelyn Davenport who had grown up in Michigan and was teaching kindergarten in Seattle Public Schools. Art and Ethelyn were married on June 17, 1960 and enjoyed 61 years together before Ethelyn’s passing on August 11, 2021.

Art and Ethelyn started their life together in a small house in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. While living there they welcomed their first two sons, David and Mark. They were transferred by the oil company to California in 1966 where they lived for three years and welcomed their youngest son, Claire. Upon returning to Washington, they settled in Edmonds, WA. They lived in Edmonds for 52 years and spent many summer vacations on Stuart Island in the home his father built.

Art’s career shifted to working in high-rise steel construction for several years and after a short stint in real estate, his career concluded where it started, in gas station construction. Art and Ethelyn were active at Martha Lake and then Shoreline Covenant Church. In retirement they enjoyed a number of road trips to national parks, as well as cruises to Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal. Art moved to Bremerton in April of this year to live with family and stayed active taking walks, trimming hedges, picking berries, going to church, eating out and visiting with family and friends. He died peacefully in his sleep on Oct 14.

Art committed to following Jesus early in his life. Later in life, as part of a Bible study, he was challenged to write his own Psalm. It begins, “Thanks to my God and Redeemer for calling me to be one of his own.” It concludes, “I shall see the heavenly places you have prepared for me. And when I come to the river at the end of my day, I will not fear, for you will be there to show me the way. I won’t have to cross Jordan alone.”

Art was preceded in death by his wife Ethelyn and siblings June, Grace and Roy. He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law David & Tammy, Mark & Marion, Claire & Shelly, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Memorial Service will be held at Shoreline Covenant Church on Saturday November 9 at 2 p.m.