Darrell D. Rasmuson

Darrell Devine Rasmuson, 81, of Minot, passed away Oct. 4 at Oak Park Senior Living in Stillwater, Minn. Darrell was born to Clarence and Frances Rasmuson in Logan, N.D. He was raised in Surrey, N.D., and graduated from Surrey High School. He attended Minot State College after serving in the Navy. Darrell married Phyllis Novak in 1952 and raised three children, Greg, Gary and LuAnn, in Minot. Darrell was a respected community and business leader and was active in numerous civic and professional organizations. He served as president of the Jaycees, was on the board of the Community Chest and was a lifetime member of Rotary International. He was honored with the "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" award during this time. He was also on the church councils at First Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Church. Darrell was a professional real estate appraiser and was awarded the SREA and MAI designations from the Appraisal Institute. He began his career at Minot Federal Savings and Loan and later started his own real estate and appraisal business, Rasmuson Realty and Rasmuson Appraisal Consultants. He was active in the national appraisal organization and served on many committees. Darrell and his son, Gary, started an appraisal business together in San Diego, Calif., where his son continues that business. Darrell retired in 1997. He was an active outdoorsman and enjoyed many types of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hunting. He spent nearly every summer weekend boating and camping with his family at Lake Sakakawea and enjoyed annual fishing trips to Canada with his family. He also loved flying his own airplane and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Darrell and Phyllis spent many winters in San Diego. He loved his dogs, Cody and Mitzi, and animals of all kinds. Darrell is survived by: his wife, Phyllis; his son, Gary (Wendy) of San Diego; daughter, LuAnn (Jeff) Novak, of Bayport, Minn.; sisters, Betty (Gordon) Anderson, of Wrightwood, Calif., and Sharon Paulson, of Ventura, Calif. Grandchildren include Stephanie (Terry) Cart, of The Woodlands, Texas, Kirsten Rasmuson, of Boston, Matt Novak, of Los Angeles, Eric Rasmuson, of San Diego, Jason Novak, of Minneapolis and Brian Novak, of Chicago. Great-grandchildren include Morgan and Zachary Cart. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Frances, and sisters Bonnie Rasmuson and Judy Mueller, and son Gregory Allen. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be made to the Minnesota/North Dakota Alzheimer's Association or Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. Memorial service: Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, at 11 a.m., in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

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