Helen "Jean" Rasmussen

Helen "Jean" Martin Rasmussen, 88, of Austin, Texas, passed away on January 13, 2025. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 29, 1936, to Wilbur and Ruby Velander Martin, Jean lived a life filled with love, adventure, and family.

Jean's father was a manager for Kress stores, and their frequent moves taught Jean how to adapt quickly to new environments and easily make friends. These experiences helped shape her resilience and sociable nature, serving her well throughout her life. She loved the University of Alabama, where she earned a degree in Business, Roll Tide. She often reminisced about her summer working at a lodge in Deckers, Colorado. Jean cherished time with her family, especially her favorite Aunt Nelly, and fondly recalled childhood moments singing around the piano with her family and sharing adventures with her siblings.

Jean met the love of her life, Robert Adrian Rasmussen, in Selma, Alabama, while he was on TDY in 1961. At the time, she was on a bad blind date, and Bob had driven all night from Lubbock, Texas, to get to the base. When they met, she found him charming and attentive, and he was captivated by her as she checked every box on his "what I want in a wife" list. They dated for two weeks before he proposed, and four weeks later, they married. Bob then brought her to Lubbock, Texas, where they began their life together. There, their family grew with the births of Robby and Ande, just 13 months apart, followed by Elise nine years later. This marked the start of a loving and vibrant household. They shared 54 years of marriage, proving that commitment and humor were the cornerstones of their relationship.

One memorable story involved Jean throwing a frozen steak at Bob when he spent money on beer and stayed out too late at the Officer's Club instead of buying shoes for the boys. This moment, though humorous, highlighted the playful yet determined dynamic of their marriage, which was filled with love and mutual respect. Before he passed, Bob shared that his greatest accomplishment was marrying Jean. They truly had an incredible life together.

As a military family, Jean and Bob lived around the world during Bob's career as an Air Force pilot. Their journey took them to Lubbock, Texas; Misawa AFB, Japan; San Antonio, Texas; Sumter, South Carolina; Langley AFB, Virginia; and Austin, Texas, where they retired. Jean and Bob shared a passion for travel, embarking on more than 45 cruises that brought them to every ocean, continent, and countless ports, countries, and rivers.

Jean was a very strong woman. She held the family together while Bob was flying, showing unwavering resilience and dedication. She wasn't known for sugar-coating things. When Robby's deodorant wasn't working effectively in high school, she bluntly told him, "Robby, you stink." This humorous yet candid moment made an impact, as he often retells it.

One of Jean's accomplishments was starting the Travis Country Swim Team. When the family moved to Austin, Jean saw a need for a neighborhood swim team and made it happen with the help of Tippy George. The team became a cornerstone of the community, providing countless children with opportunities to learn, compete, and build lifelong friendships. For her children, swimming taught discipline and teamwork while helping them positively channel their energy. Jean's vision and commitment left a lasting legacy in Travis Country. She spent countless hours driving her three children to their activities, including ballet, swimming, tennis, scouts, and multiple school events.

Jean loved playing bridge. Over the years, she became lifelong friends with several women from Travis Country, forming a close-knit group that brought joy and companionship into her life. Their regular card games were more than just a pastime—they were a cherished tradition filled with laughter, stories, and unwavering support for one another. For over 30 years, these friendships enriched Jean's life in countless ways.

Jean also stayed busy with the American Red Cross, where she dedicated countless hours to community support and emergency relief efforts. She was an active member of the Assistance League of Austin, contributing her organizational skills to various charitable projects, especially Operation School Bus, which helped provide much-needed clothes to students in Austin ISD. Additionally, Jean founded an investment club called "Money Magics " that fostered camaraderie among its members and became a platform for learning and collaboration, with Bob contributing his talent for selecting excellent investments.

Jean loved her sister Gale. They were best friends, sharing countless cherished moments over the years. One memorable tradition was their weekly phone calls every Saturday, during which they would catch up and laugh about family stories. They visited each other as much as possible, creating precious memories that Jean held dear. She was devastated when Gale died, feeling the profound loss of her closest confidante.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Wilbur and Ruby Martin; and her siblings, Jack Martin, Gale Martin Hamayun, and Gary Martin.

Her children survive her: Robert Adrian Rasmussen Jr. (Kristina Scott Rasmussen), Anders Martin Rasmussen (Lisabeth Proctor Rasmussen), and Elise Rasmussen Cole (David Brian Cole). She was the beloved grandmother of Adrian Dane Rasmussen, Gentry Tess Rasmussen, Andrew Dax Cole, and David Alexander Cole, and the cherished great-grandmother of Aden Reign Rasmussen.

We want to thank Jean's caretaker, Elizabeth Hodges, Hospice Of Austin, Magnolia Hospice, and the excellent staff at Westminster Manor in Austin. 

Services will be held at Cook-Walden/ Forest Oaks Funeral Home at 6300 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749, at noon on January 20th, 2025.