Wayne Rasmussen
Wayne Elroy Rasmussen was born Oct. 8, 1941, to Orval and Ruby (Wasson) Rasmussen in Stratton. He died and entered eternal life at the age of 78 on Oct. 5, 2020, at Hillcrest Care Center in Wray.
Wayne grew up on the family farm south of Stratton, the oldest of three boys. He helped with chores, feeding calves, chickens and pigs. He attended school in Stratton, and when he was 15 the family moved to Holyoke. He attended Holyoke High School, lettering in basketball and track. He graduated with the class of ’61.
In 1962, he entered the United States Navy and served four years on the USS Forrestal at Portsmouth, Virginia. In 1966 he transferred to Naval Reserve in Bainbridge, Maryland. Wayne was honorably discharged in 1968.
In 1965, he met and married Jan Myers, and to this union four children were born: Terri, Kathy, Wayne and Roxanna. They raised their family in the Wray area, later separating. Wayne worked for Safeway and the bowling alley, where he had a love of the sport. He bowled on many men’s teams and even had trophies for some Colorado championships he won. In 1977, he began working for the Deschampses west of Wray as a farmhand.
In 1986, he met and married Virginia (Banaka) Holland in Holyoke and added her daughters, Shawn and Teresa, to his family. They moved to the farm west of Wray, and he continued working for Deschampses while raising all sorts of animals — sheep, pigs, horses, cattle and many different birds.
In 1994, he went to work for Monfort as a night watchman unloading cattle and continued through the ownership changes with ConAgra and then JBS. They sold their farm in 2000 and moved to town to slow down a bit, and in 2005 Wayne retired from JBS.
After retiring, he enjoyed fishing, garage sales and all the auctions. He also enjoyed watching all his grandkids in school programs and sporting events.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Rasmussen; his parents, Orval Rasmussen and Ruby Rasmussen-McCallum; daughter-in-law, Janet Rasmussen; and son-in-law, Brad Sharp.
He is survived by his children, Terri and Clifford Russell of Wray, Kathi and Eric “Whitey” Anderson of Vernon, Wayne and Kim Rasmussen of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Roxanna and Juan Chavez of Sterling, Shawn Holland and partner Robin of Centennial, and Teresa and Craig Kramer of Holyoke; son-in-law, Sid Lindley of Wray; brothers, Alvin and Ruth Rasmussen of Bagley, Minnesota, and Richard Rasmussen of Grass Valley, California; 19 grandchildren, Cody and Jessica, Rodney, Johnathon and Payten, Jose and Elaina, Ashley and Derek, Samantha and Christy, Amanda and Rhett, Tyleler and Kailee, Alexis, Janessa, Brendon, Paedon, Gage, Landon, Brittney, Chloe, Caitlyn and James, Kelsey and Joe, and Cavin and Olivia; and 18 great-grandchildren, Alexis, Junior, Bradley, Ariya, Octavia, Greyson, Bexley, Dante, Nova, Asher, Renesnae, Kynzlee, Kemptyn, Kailoni, Abby, Clyde, Owen and Maeve, and one on the way.
A memorial service was held Oct. 16 at Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, with Pastor Timothy Davis officiating. Cremation was requested, and a private family inurnment was held at Grandview Cemetery in Wray.
Memorials may be made to Wray Vets Club, 119 E. 3rd St., Wray, CO 80758.
Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.