Elaine Clare Rasmussen

Elaine was born on August 16, 1945 to Carl and Margaret (Kain) Olson in Vermillion, SD. She attended Meckling Consolidated School. She graduated from University of South Dakota receiving her Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in English in 1967 and a Master’s Degree in English in 1968. She continued her education attending Mount Marty College receiving her Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Mathematics in 1996. Elaine was united in marriage to Elmer (Junior) L. Rasmussen, Jr on June 5, 1970 at the Newman Center in Vermillion, SD and to this union three sons were born: Jon, Jamie, and Jeff. They were later divorced.

Elaine spent most of career in the teaching profession including Yankton College, Springfield Academy and Marty Indian School, she also worked at Gehl’s and SD Human Services Center.

She was actively involved in the community as a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, Eucharistic Minister at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, an Oblate of St. Benedict at Sacred Heart Monastery, Yahweh Shalom Prayer Group and member of Yankton Cursillo. She was also involved in the Sons of Norway, Big Friend Little Friend, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Yankton Community Library and a co-founder of Murder by the Book Club. Elaine was an avid knitter and a Junior Class advisor.

Elaine is survived by her sons: Jon (Melissa) Rasmussen of Denver, CO and their children, Ian and Logan; Jamie (Pam) Rasmussen of Mitchell, SD and their children: Mesa, Tyler and Spencer; Jeff Rasmussen of Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters: Helen Lounsbery and Marlene (John) Walsh; nieces and nephews.

She preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Margaret Olson.