Margaret L. Rasmussen

Margaret (Gotch) Rasmussen, 94, of Homer died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 at the Heritage of Emerson Nursing Home. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St Paul Lutheran Church in Homer with the Rev. Randy Rasmussen officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday 5 to 8 p.m. at St Paul Lutheran Church in Homer with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Arrangements for burial will be made at a later date. Becker – Hunt Funeral Home is in charge of the arraqngements. Margaret Louise (Gotch) Rasmussen was born December 26, 1918 at Waterbury, Nebraska, the oldest daughter of Harry and Alvena (Barge) Gotch. She attended rural school District 18 in Dakota County. She graduated from Emerson High School in 1937 with “Normal Training” which qualified her to teach in rural schools. She taught school for 34 years, 11 in one room rural schools and 23 as Third Grade Teacher in the Homer Community School. She received a B.A. degree at Wayne State College in 1972 doing it the hard way since all of her college hours were earned during summer, night classes, and correspondence courses. She was instrumental in establishing a Combs School curriculum is 1976 for the Historical Society to provide students the one room school experience. She taught the Combs School for area schools during April and May for 24 years. Margaret met Donald Rasmussen while teaching District 16 and they were married December 22, 1940. Besides raising four children and being a busy farmer’s wife, Margaret found time to teach Sunday school for 18 years, Sunday School Superintendent for 6 years, den mother for cub scouts, 4-H leader, president and member of Women’s Extension Club, and hosted many birthday parties for her four children and 10 grandchildren. She lectured at St Paul Lutheran Church for 20 years. She was President and member of St Paul’s Lutheran Women of the ELCA for many years and served as delegate at the churches annual convention. Margaret was awarded Homemaker award in 1990. Margaret enjoyed her family, reading, sewing, cooking, watching Husker football, church, gardening and visiting friends. Margaret is survived by two sisters, Bernice Dolezal of Emerson, NE, Helen Johanson of Pierce, NE ; two son’s Kent and his wife Rosie of Homer, NE, David and his wife Della of Homer, NE ; a daughter Rita and her husband Charles Peterson of Bennet, NE ; a daughter-in-law Eileen Rasmussen of Homer, NE; Six Granddaughters Tracey Peters of Homer, NE, Linda and Brent Meyer of Omaha, NE, Lisa and Josh Harral of Emerson, NE, Teri and Marvin Chauza of Hickman, NE, Christi Peterson of St Paul MN, and Lori and Andres Herrera of Lincoln, NE ; Four Grandson’s Kevin Rasmussen of Sioux City, IA, Dave Rasmussen of Homer, NE, Michael Peterson of Bennet, NE and Randy Peterson and fiancé Stephanie of Bennet, NE ; Fourteen Great Grandchildren Brianna, Kalleigh and Alec Rasmussen of Sioux City, IA, Seth, Jacey, and Jocey Peters of Homer, NE, A.J., Cameron, Taylor and Alexis Herrera of Lincoln, Colton and Carson Meyer of Omaha, NE, Emelia Harral of Emerson, NE, Kenli Peterson of Bennet, NE. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Donald in 1992, a son Russell in 2004, a brother John in 1985 and her parents. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St Paul Lutheran Church in care of the Family.