Donald E. "Gene" Rasmussen

Urbandale

Gene Rasmussen, 85, passed away Monday, June 27, 2016 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Memorial services will be held 4 p.m. Thursday at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel. Visitation with the family will be from 3 p.m. until service time Thursday at McLaren's. Inurnment with military rites will be at Resthaven Mausoleum.

Gene was born in Kimballton, Iowa to Jens and Altje Rasmussen. He grew up in Anita, Iowa and served in the U.S. Army. Gene was a graduate of Simpson College and received his MBA from the University of Northern Colorado. He taught science in Prescott, Iowa before going to Meredith Junior High in Des Moines where he taught industrial arts for many years.

Gene had been a member of the Lions Club, West Des Moines Methodist Church, and the YEWS. He loved to work out at the YMCA and walked nearly every day. Gene enjoyed travel, especially cruises, and went to Romania with his brother to help build a church. He also enjoyed several outdoor activities including camping and fishing.

He is survived by two sons, David (Monica) of St. Paul, Minnesota and Rolland of Des Moines; daughter, Donna (Joe) Cambre of Blue Springs, Missouri; four grandchildren, Heather, Melissa, Hunter, and Rose; step-daughter and family, Cheryl (Charles) Finney of Bettendorf, Iowa; and two brothers, John of Santa Barbara, California and Bob (Lori) of Webb City, Missouri. Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Helenjane Merrick and a sister, Ellen Hoeck.

Memorial contributions may be directed to any Des Moines area Lions Club.