Ronald Lee Rasmusson of Waterford, was born March 15, 1935 to Edward and Astrid Rasmusson in Ransom County, North Dakota, and died Dec. 9, 2025 at Angels Grace Hospice. He will be missed dearly by his wife, family, and friends.
Ron “Ronnie” grew up and lived in Ransom and LaMoure County. He attended school in LaMoure, North Dakota. From LaMoure, he ventured to Seattle with a friend until he moved to the Milwaukee area in 1956. He returned to North Dakota often to be with family.
Ron married Gloria Schmelebeck on June 20, 1958, and they raised two sons, Randy and Michael, on a small farm near Wind Lake. They later divorced.
Ron married Shirley Schroeder May 18, 1996. Ron and Shirley traveled to many places during their 29 years together, one of their favorites was Texas. They wintered for many years there. They also frequently traveled to North Dakota to visit family.
Ron retired from American Motors/Chrysler in 1999 after 37 plus years. Ron refused a cell phone, but you could usually catch up with him having coffee with “the guys” at a local restaurant or out at the farm near Wind Lake. Ron loved family, following the farm reports from nephews in North Dakota, classic tractors and participating in local parades on one of tractors or restored cars and pickups. He was an avid Packer fan, would argue his side of politics “now listen here”, but it was the pinochle games with his son, grandsons, granddaughters and great grandson that became a family favorite.
Ron is survived by wife Shirley; son Randall (Lynette); stepdaughter Roberta (Frank) Zienert; stepson Michael Couillard; grandchildren, Kari (Patrick) Flees, Jennifer (Brent) Axelson, Zachary (Sara) Rasmusson, Abigail (friend Josh) Rasmusson, and Austin (friend Cassidy) Rasmusson; step grandchildren, Brian (Lisa) Tobianski, Denise Tobianski, Shelly (Matthew) Atkins, Tim (Amanda) Couillard, and Amy (Sam) Luckow; 20 great grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Ron was preceded in death by son Michael, grandson Logan, great grandson Harrison, parents Edward and Astrid Rasmusson, brothers Alden, Jerome, Curtis, Donald and Edward; and sisters Elaine and Arlene.
Sincere thanks to the staff at Angels Grace, Waterford Rescue, staff at Pro Health Cancer Center and family and friends that visited, called and brought goodies.
Service will be held on Dec. 20, 2025 at Cross Lutheran Church, 126 Chapel Terrace in Burlington. Visitation will be from 9 until 10:45 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery in Waterford.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Shirley R. Rasmusson.
Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home is proudly serving the Rasmusson family. For online condolences, please visit www.stencelfh.com.