Obituary of Mel Rasmussen

The family of Melvin (Mel) Rasmussen, beloved husband of Frances Rasmussen, sadly announce his passing on January 8, 2024 at the age of 96 years.

A private commital service will take place at Yorkton Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation (1379 Kenaston Bld. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3P 2T5) as gifts of remembrance.

Melvin Gunnar Rasmussen was born April 26, 1927 to Johannes and Johanna Rasmussen in the Stornoway district.  He was the youngest of four children.  Dad learned the way of the farm life in his early years.  The man could fix anything, make the part needed or build it from scratch like most that grew up in the 30’s and 40’s.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and loved playing baseball along with other sports.  To supplement the home income Dad worked at a sawmill in Norquay at the age of 16 years then later a winter logging camp in Ontario.

 

In 1952 he married Elizabeth Bloudofff and they settled in Kamsack where they were blessed with four children; Murray, Carla, Myra and Ingrid.  Despite a lack of a high school education Mel became an accomplished mechanic and body man which led to business opportunities in the body shop in Kamsack and Esso station at Madge Lake.  He later became involved in the small hotel business in Canora and Punichy and Grayson.  In 1969 the family moved to Yorkton where Dad worked at the SGI claims centre.  The skills he learned over the years and his meticulous work ethic earned him the role of top adjuster and eventually became the manager at Collision Service in Yorkton, retiring in 1997.

 

Dad’s life changed course over the years and in 1992 he was married to Francis Pisiak of Yorkton.  This expanded his family as Francis had five daughters of her own; Bonnie Bulych, June Pisiak, Birdie Clapham, Val Styles and Gwen Trim.

Dad was a gentle soul with a wealth of knowledge.  In his later years he lived independently at the Queen Elizabeth II court in Yorkton where he enjoyed many activities with friends.  He was loved and will be missed by his children and their families along with his second family and many friends. 

 

We would like to extend special thanks to Yorkton Home Care providers and health care teams at the Yorkton Union Hospital, Esterhazy Hospital and Wadena Hospital for the care they provided to Dad and support to the family over the last few months.  

 

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