Elmer Clayton Rasmussen

87, of Richland Gardens, Richland, WA passed away April 19, 2004 at Kadlec Hospital, Richland, WA after being ill with diabetes, congestive heart failure and other health problems. He was born February 25, 1917 at home on the homestead in Snake River, WA, the 6th of 10 children born to Rudolph Henry Rasmussen and Nancy Jane Owen Rasmussen Yount. He graduated from Star School from the eighth grade in 1931 and from Pasco High School, Pasco, WA in 1935. After graduation he worked for August Aubert on his sheep ranch for about three years, then with his brother, Lauritz in a partnership called Rasmussen Brothers doing commercial hauling until he was drafted in the Army in 1941 at which time he married Georgia Kowing. Four children were born to this marriage which later ended in divorce. While in the service he was transferred to the Air Force to enter pilot training but due to a sinus infection had to attend Airplane Mechanic School and Gunnery School. He became a waist gunner on a Martin B-26 and flew 19 missions over Germany. Elmer was discharged at Ft. Lewis, WA in 1945. After that he worked for Bethlehem Steel, Seattle, WA as a welder for about six years, then worked on his father's farm near Snake River, WA for four years before resuming work at Bethlehem Steel for the next 24 years until his retirement in 1979. In 1968 he married Betty Mae Lund and they celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary this year. They moved from Seattle to the Tri-Cities in 1997. He was proceeded in death by his brother, Charles Henry Rasmussen, his parents, sisters, Erma Eleanor Alien, Esther Lucille Wrenchey and brothers, Marion Maurice Rasmussen and Lauritz Barnett Rasmussen. Elmer is survived by his wife, Betty at their home, his sons, Timothy Warren Rasmussen and wife, Connie, Seattle, WA, Tom Clayton Rasmussen, Yachats, OR, daughters, Rosemary Maurine Rasmussen Keller and husband, Robert, Shoreline, WA and Janie Rasmussen Schrader and husband, Michael, Renton, WA, twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

"Thank you, Dad, for giving us a model of integrity and strength that has helped shape all of our lives. We love you and we will always remember.? Also a surviving brother, Owen Rudolph Rasmussen and wife, Elma, of Wenatchee, WA, sisters, Beulah Jane Rasmussen Flock and brother, Melvin O'Lea Rasmussen and wife, Joan, and a sister, Betty Zane Rasmussen James, all of Pasco, WA, a cousin in Walla Walla, WA and several cousins in Kansas. Visitation Saturday, April 24, 10:00AM-1:30PM; Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home 11111 Aurora Ave N. Seattle, with Graveside Services at 2:00PM, Evergreen Memorial Park. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, April 26, 2004 at 11.00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1015 North 28th Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301. Contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, PO Box 375, Richland, WA 99352 or a charity of your choice.