Obituary: Shirley LaVerne Rasmussen

As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:

Shirley LaVerne Rasmussen, a resident of Portage Pointe in Hancock and recent long-time resident of The Bluffs of Houghton, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2022.

Shirley was born March 28,1926 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a daughter of Frank E. (Ted) and Lydia E. (Gustafson) Davis. Following a childhood spent in Iron County (Amasa), the family moved to Battle Creek. She graduated from Lakeview High School in 1944, and then attended Michigan State University. She eventually earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Library Science from Western Michigan University. She retired in 1986 as the school librarian for the Three Rivers Public Schools.

In 1947 she married Harry J. Rasmussen in Battle Creek; they enjoyed a long, harmonious, and happy life together. While living in Three Rivers she was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Joseph County Home Extension, and the St. Joseph Co. Chapter of School Retirees. In 2005, she moved to The Bluffs in Houghton to be near her family and she became a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Shirley enjoyed reading and was a lifelong learner and champion of knowledge. She enjoyed genealogy, gardening, nature and bird watching, sewing, music and theater, traveling, playing cards, and her coffee with sugar and cream. She made friends wherever she went.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, her parents, her sister Donna Lewis and her brother Frank A. Davis. She is survived by daughter Karen and her favorite son-in-law Richard Brooks of Keweenaw Bay; three grandchildren: Robin of Seattle, Washington, Jon of Marquette, Michigan, and James of Rochester Hills, Michigan; and great-granddaughter Molly. Other survivors include two brother-in-laws Larry Lewis and Art Rasmussen, one cousin Jeff Gustafson, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock with Rev. Brahm Semmler Smith officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Burial will be in the spring at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. The family would like to thank the staff at The Bluffs, Northern Homecare Services, and the staff at Portage Pointe for their kind, tender, and professional care. The O’Neill Dennis Funeral Home and the Hohner Funeral Home in Three Rivers are assisting the family with arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.