Roger Ray Rasmussen

Roger Ray Rasmussen passed away peacefully on June 19, 2012 at the age of 85 years. Roger will be cherished as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. His loving family was by his side during the last days and hours of his life and shared many heartfelt conversations and memories. He managed to include a little humour in his final conversations, and tease as well as thank his nurses before and while being made ready for his final ambulance ride to Assiniboia. It was comforting for him to have his daughter-in-law Gail, granddaughters, grandsons, brother Glen, sister Yvonne, niece Charlotte and Roxanne Erb visit him shortly before his passing. Roger was predeceased by his cherished wife Joyce, his parents Aksel and Aline Rasmussen, father-in-law and mother- in-law Jacob and Eva Broeder, brother-in-law Keith Broeder, brother Maurice, sister Violet Andre and husband Albert (niece-Marne and nephew-Brian), brother Delbert and wife Irene (Ager) (nephews-Gary and Merle), brother Adrien and wife Virginia (McIntyre), brother Elvin (niece - Sheryle Ann), sister Gladys Kabrud and husband Edwin (nephew-Randy), brother Clay (nephew-Daryl), sister Audrey, brother Gerald (nephew-Ricky). Roger was heartbroken whenever a sibling or one of their children passed away. He may not have seemed an emotional man to most but he was deeply and emotionally affected when relatives and special friends passed on. All who knew him know that he was never the same after losing “his girl” Joyce, and life was just not as fulfilling without her. He was also extremely saddened when his brother-in-law Keith Broeder passed away shortly before himself, as they exchanged phone calls almost every Sunday. They talked about old times and family which became a very important part of his week. Roger is survived by his loving son Mark, daughter-in-law Gail (Oancia), grand-daughters Marnel (Lee Jones) and Kristine (Shawn Maloney); loving son Rock and grandsons Derek and Todd; his brother Glen and wife Cecile (Kwasnicki) (nephew- Dwight, nieces- Charlotte, Valerie, Kathy, Janet, Margo and Marnelle); his sister Yvonne and husband Delmar Dosch (nephew Dean and niece Delee); sister-in-law Leona (Chaffin) Maurice’s wife (nephew-Harley, nieces-Karen, Marilyn and Wanda); Violet and Albert Andre’s daughter - niece Beverly (Bunny); Delbert and Irene’s son - nephew Calvin; sister-in-law Deloris (Perrier) - Elvin’s wife (nephews-Lorne, Barry and Ken, nieces-Sharon, Donna and Jocelyn.), Gladys and Edwin Kabrud’s children (nephew-Brent and nieces-Wendy and Sherry); Lillian Morrison, Clay’s wife and niece Dianne; Bonnie (Jackson), Gerald’s wife (nephews-Dwaine and Kevin). Roger is also survived by his in-laws: Gordon Broeder and wife Margaret (Young) (nephew Michael and niece Lynn) Don Broeder and wife Kitty (nieces - Carla and Yvonne); Mary (Duncan) Broeder – Keith’s wife; Marrion (Broeder) and husband Bill Nelmes (nephews-Hugh, Stanley and niece-Jocelyn); Jean (Broeder) Silzer and husband Otto (nephew Clint and niece Niesa). Two special friends of Roger and Joyce and family are Rick and Bernie Chevrier. Rick was always called upon when help was needed often interrupting his schedule, but he was always there when needed. As stated in Joyce’s memories Bernie was more of a daughter to Joyce than a friend. Another special friend who always checked on, visited with Roger and often picked up his mail was Roxanne Erb. Her friendship is greatly appreciated by Roger and family. Roger was born on March 4, 1927. He was the 9th child of Aksel and Aline Rasmussen. Roger had to deal with tough health issues many times in his life right from the age of three when he fell from a car and developed osteomylitis. He spent 5 years on and off in the hospital. He had eleven operations to scrape the shoulder and arm bones. The treatment at the time was to pour raw alcohol over the area and then rub blue stone on it to help heal the wound. Roger was able to continue on with a badly scared shoulder and arm and become a meticulous hard and talented worker. Roger married Joyce Broeder on June 30, 1949 after being close friends throughout their school years. They lived on the Rasmussen farm for a while and then bought the Kleeberger homestead from John Damien in 1953. In the fall of 1954 Roger and Joyce moved to Assiniboia where he started Rasmussen Construction. Roger built many houses and other buildings during this time, as well as various general carpentry projects in and around Assiniboia. He had a very successful business at this time until tragedy struck. He accidentally tripped while operating a circular saw that almost completely severed his right arm. The arm was never well enough to do intensive work with it and carry on his carpentry business. He made the decision to find alternate work that would still require his carpentry knowledge and skills. He hired on with Central Mortgage and Housing in Regina (CMHC) as an inspector. Shortly after the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation was formed, Roger became one of their first inspectors, and soon Chief inspector. He worked with the Sask. Housing Corporation for many years and developed great relationships with many of his inspectors and co-workers, many which he still kept in touch with. When the Sask. Government changed from NDP to PC his out-of- scope position was terminated. He then decided to take the Assiniboia town works supervisor position that was open at the time until his retirement. Once retired he was the best farm team member a farm operation could have had. You could not get him to quit until he decided he was done a job, and you would have no doubt if Roger Rasmussen did a job it was done right. While Roger always worked extremely hard and very long hours he still made time to spend with his family. They went on many memorable trips west to the mountains and coast. They also spent many Sundays wandering in the hills hunting for petrified wood which presently landscapes his yard. He was a hockey coach and president of the figure skating club, and was always the driver of one of the cars hauling hockey players to their games. He always laughed about Dale Kindt singing Roger Ramjet he’s our man in the hockey dressing rooms. In their later years Roger and Joyce were devoted Grandparents at sporting events when their granddaughters were skating, playing basketball or involved in any activity. When Joyce had other commitments Roger could always still be spotted in the stands at the rink cheering on his granddaughters as they skated. Roger was very proud of his grandson’s as they joined the work force and always encouraged them in their endeavours. One of Roger and Joyce’s greatest passions was their love for gardening and landscaping their yard. Roger was probably one of very few people who would say that he actually thoroughly enjoyed hoeing a garden. Roger and Joyce made excellent garden partners and team in life. Roger prepared for planting under Joyce’s direction, and Joyce made the planting plan and implemented it. Garden maintenance was shared by the entire family. The garden had to be raked “level” after ploughing in preparation for seeding. His sons remember raking and hoeing lessons well. Roger taught his sons many things as he was multitalented. He fully understood and could work at most trades such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical and welding but carpentry was his passion. He also had a great knowledge of farming and farm machinery repair. Most of all he taught his sons how to work hard, always be fussy and respect your boss and elders. He also expected his children to stand up for themselves when required. Roger as well as Joyce were devoted socialists and were involved in many organizations that would benefit all people. Roger always remembered marching down Assiniboia main street when Tommy Douglas won his first election and how proud they were to support his platforms. These election platforms changed rural power, telephone service, roads and health care forever. In his later years Roger was on the Assiniboia Credit Union Board, The District Health Board and the South East Community College Board. Roger was very lucky to have many relatives, friends and acquaintances that helped and supported him before and after Joyce’s passing. Roger`s regular phone calls and talks about old and present times and the politics of the day with his brother Glen were also very special. At Roger’s request no funeral service was held. Assisting arrangements were entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Roger can be made to the Assiniboia & Historical Society Museum Box 1211, Assiniboia, SK. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com