Donald N Rasmussen

Born February 24, 1929, in Canton, he was the only child of Don W. and Ilene (Ashton) Rasmussen of Lewistown. He married Madelyn L. Delaney, on February 24, 1952 in Peoria.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years; one son, Scott Rasmussen of Creve Coeur; one daughter, Susan Rasmussen of Peoria; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Don was proud of his family heritage. His father and his uncle, Alva Rasmussen, as well as his grandfather, Nels Rasmussen, were the founders, owners and operators of the Rasmussen Blacksmith Shop in Lewistown. Founded in 1880, the shop was continually run until 1969, when Don W. Rasmussen passed away. The shop was then sold to the Fulton County Historical Society, and today is known as the Rasmussen Blacksmith Shop Museum, which is a part of the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Historical sites tour.

A 1947 graduate of Lewistown High School, Don then graduated from Western Illinois University in Macomb in 1951. He also had attended the University of Illinois and the University of Colorado. He was a life member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity.

Don served with the Illinois Army National Guard, during the Korean War, at Camp Ellis, near Ipava in 1949.

Don was a banker starting his career at the former Commercial National Bank in Peoria, where he was a Vice-president. He later went to work for Herget National Bank in Pekin, where he was a Vice-president. He then worked at The Heights Bank, in Peoria Heights, as the bank President. He concluded his 40-year banking career as a Vice-president with AMCORE Bank, Pekin. Upon retirement he owned several upscale cocktail lounges.

Don was an avid golfer and was a founding member of the Peoria Saturday Morning Golf League.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He also was a member of the IVY Club, Pekin Country Club, the Rotary Club and the Sertoma Club, and active in the Heart of Illinois United Way.

He was a member of Saint Mark's Catholic Church in Peoria.

His memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2008 at Springdale Mausoleum, with FatherJoe Mwinziofficiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.