Alfred Eugene "Gene" Rasmussen, Jr.

Alfred Eugene "Gene" Rasmussen, Jr., age 72, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 14, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Summit Evangelical Free Church in Alta, Iowa. Burial will be in the Grant Township Cemetery in rural Rodney, Iowa. Visitation will take place Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the church. In honoring Gene’s legacy, donations may be made in his name to June E. Nylen Cancer Center, 230 Nebraska St., Sioux City, IA 51101 ~OR~ GoServ Global - Haitian Ministry, 310 E. Broadway, Eagle Grove, Iowa 50533. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Alfred Eugene “Gene” Rasmussen, Jr., the son of Alfred Eugene, Sr. and Josephine (Becker) Rasmussen was born in Carmel, California on June 5, 1943. As an infant, Gene moved to Cherokee, Iowa, while his father was serving his country in the United States Army. After his father’s discharge, the family moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where Gene lived his youth and received his education. He was a 1961 graduate of Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School. He attained the highest honor in Boy Scouts by receiving his Eagle Scout designation in 1960. Gene then attended the University of Iowa for a period of time before he began an adventure of backpacking throughout Europe. He returned to the United States in 1964, and attended Omaha University and also sold Buicks for his uncle in Council Bluffs. Gene met the love of his life, Pamela Poulos, in 1967 and on May 25, 1968, Gene and Pam were united in marriage at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Council Bluffs. This union was blessed with two children: Gena and Christian. Following their marriage, Gene and Pam lived in Council Bluffs where he was employed with Rasmussen Buick. In November of 1969, the Rasmussens purchased the Ford dealership in Storm Lake. They expanded their business to Cherokee in 1981. Automobiles were the focal point of Gene’s lifetime. Gene was committed to his vocation and his community. He served many years on the FDAF (Ford Dealer Advertising Fund) and he served as Storm Lake Rotary Club president and later transferred his membership to the Cherokee Rotary Club. He served two terms as co-chair of the Buena Vista University Community Campaign, belonged to the Storm Lake Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, the Lakeside City Council, the S.L.O.B.S. (Storm Lake Organization of Boat Sailors), and was the IADA (Iowa Automobile Dealers Association) County Director from 1976 — 1998. Gene will be remembered for his love of sailing, reading, enjoying music, painting and being an avid gardener. His life is honored and cherished by his family which includes wife, Pam of Storm Lake, Iowa; children: Gena Hamilton of Cherokee, Iowa; Christian and Michelle Rasmussen of Storm Lake, Iowa; his beloved grandchildren: Austin and Dylan Hamilton, Riley Rasmussen, and Elias and Gabriel Rasmussen, brothers: Marc (Sheri) Rasmussen of San Diego, California; Neil (Vicki) Rasmussen of Ruston, Louisiana; Philip (Diane) Rasmussen of Omaha, Nebraska; Tony Rasmussen of Grand Island, Nebraska; Martin (Christy) Rasmussen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Keith (Ruby) Rasmussen of Tucson, Arizona; sisters: Paula (John) Chicoine of Parker, South Dakota; Deanna (Bernie) Lacotta of Phoenix, Arizona; and Lorna (Ron) Ziller of Tracy, California; sister-in-law, Janice Rasmussen of Tucson, Arizona; many nieces and nephews; other extended family and many friends locally and throughout the country. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Victor and Perry; niece, Melissa Rasmussen, and nephew, Deric Rasmussen. Blessed be the life and memory of Alfred Eugene “Gene” Rasmussen, Jr.

Alfred Eugene "Gene" Rasmussen, Jr.

June 5, 1943 - March 5, 2016