Orris A. Rasmussen

Orris Andrew Rasmussen, 77, of Park Rapids (formerly of Roseau,) was promoted into eternity on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids with his loved ones at his side. Orris was born March 15, 1937 in Roseau, MN to Eugene and Doris (Larson) Rasmussen. He graduated from Roseau High School with the Class of 1955. Following graduation, he joined the Air National Guard and attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. He was member of the Roseau Rams and Roseau Leafs hockey team. Orris married Marlene Knochenmus October 17, 1959 in Roseau, MN and they enjoyed 48 years together until her death in 2007. They lived on the farm in Wannaska, later moving east of Roseau for a few years before moving to their Malung home in 1967. Orris was employed at the Roseau County Highway Department for 35 years until retiring at age 55. He served as a Roseau County Commissioner for 18 years. Orris married Barb Wheeler on August 7, 2010. They made their home in Park Rapids. He and Barb enjoyed traveling together and had many wonderful memories of the times they spent in the southern States and California. His marriage gave him a family of 3 children: Lisa, Karen and Russell and 4 precious grandchildren: Parker, Natalie, Taylor and Madison who loved him very much. He especially enjoyed the many hours of fishing with his granddaughter Madison. He was thrilled to take his grandson, Parker deer hunting for the first time and watched him bag his first ever deer. Orris enjoyed tinkering in his shop out at his farm in Malung. He enjoyed having visitors to his shop and showing off his creations. He was a skilled at wood working and sharing his handiwork with family. He would spend hours modifying equipment and when things did not work out as he had planned he would often use some colorful language to express his discontent. Orris was an avid hunter for many years hunting in the Roosevelt and Skime area. He had a lot of stories about his hunting adventures and remembered the details so clearly which made him a masterful storyteller. He enjoyed watching the wildlife in his yard in Malung. The birdfeeders were always filled and he enjoyed seeing what would be attracted to the feeders other than the birds and would take photos of the deer, raccoons and other critters out of the dining room window at his home in Malung and later in Park Rapids. He made several ponds for the geese and created spots for them to nest every year. Orris was also known as Santa Claus to many children in the Roseau area for many years. He absolutely loved telling the stories about the interesting things the children would ask Santa to bring for Christmas. He spent many Christmas Eve's making his rounds to family and friends homes to be their Santa. He was an active member of the Eagles Aerie for many years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Barb Rasmussen of Park Rapids; his step children Lisa (John) Barber of Placerville, CA; Karen (Rob) Nudell and their children Parker & Natalie of Frazee, MN; Russ (Stephanie) Wilkes and their children : Taylor and Madison of Salt Lake City, UT; his mother-in-law Hazel (Del) Hacker of Park Rapids, MN; his special family, Curt (Julane) Kjaer of Roseau who he loved as his own and their children, Kristy (Craig) Wilfahrt and their children Carly & Connor all of Buffalo, MN; Andrew Kjaer of Roseau; his nephews, Craig Bakken & Jeff Bakken ; his aunts Mae Kjaer of Fargo, ND and Carol Kjaer of Thief River Falls, MN; and many cousins.He was preceded in death by his wife Marlene, his father Eugene , his mother Doris, his brother,Paul and an infant brother, Joe Eugene. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at the Malung Community Center, seven miles southeast of Roseau on County Rd. 2. Rev. Larry Severson will officiate the service. Craig Wilfahrt will give Orris's eulogy and Connor Wilfahrt will read scripture. The casket bearers will be Jeff Bakken, Delmar Hacker, Andy Kjaer, Paul Klema, Russell Knochenmus, Ronnie Larson, Ronnie Olson and Craig Wilfahrt. Interment will be made in the Hope Cemetery of Roseau. A luncheon will be provided for all at the Malung Community Center following the service. To view the on line video or to leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com