Helen Virginia Rock Rasmussen

Helen Virginia Rock Rasmussen February 17, 1925 - February 4, 2017 Helen was born in Rochester, MN to Judith and William Rock. She graduated from Rochester High School in 1943 and met Russell E Rasmussen while in high School. They married May 24, 1944. Their first home was in Fort Worth, TX where Russell was serving in the Army Air Corps. Helen and Russell moved to Racine, WI in 1951 where Russ worked for Johnson Wax; and the couple eventually had six children. When Helen’s youngest child was in third grade she began college and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Parkside with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in Education. She began teaching special needs children, consulted with Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Racine, WI, starting a Pre-School program and becoming the first Director of that Pre-School. She later accepted a position at the Racine YWCA teaching in the Y-Tot Nursery. Later Helen became the Director of the Y-Tot nursery. Helen and her husband, Russ retired to Pace, Florida. They lived there until her husband suffered a stroke and they moved to the Azalea Trace Garden apartments. Helen’s church was central in her life through the Women’s circles and she kept her children involved in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Luther League. Her life revolved around her home and children. In retirement she and Russell became guardians for children through the Florida Guardian ad litem program. She was an accomplished seamstress, loved gardening and camping and spent many happy hours reading her latest novel or devotional. She was an artist with many interests; Sewing, Norwegian folk painting, gardening, and weaving were just some of her achievements. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Russell, her husband of 69 years, a brother and two sisters. Helen is survived by her six children, Stephen Rasmussen and his wife Carol of Sharpsburg GA, Virginia Rasmussen Krekling and her husband Michael of Roslyn, WA, Bradly Rasmussen and his wife Rita of Cantonment, FL, Eric Rasmussen and his wife Patricia of Eagle River WI, David Rasmussen and his wife Mary of Madison. WI, Marna Rasmussen and her life partner Lynn Thames of Apopka, FL; 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchild. Services are planned for Sunday February 26, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Azalea Trace Auditorium with a reception following. In Lieu of flowers, Helen requested that memorials be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Azalea or to Covenant Hospice, all of Pensacola.

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Helen Virginia Rock Rasmussen

February 17, 1925 - February 4, 2017