Dolores M. Rasmussen

Dolores M. Rasmussen, age 100, of Howard, died Friday, November 19, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society in Howard. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Howard. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Recitation of the Rosary will be 4:30 PM, Tuesday at the church, with a visitation to follow from 5-6:30 PM. The Mass will be live-streamed through the Willoughby Funeral Home Facebook page.

Dolores Marie Neises was born July 13, 1921, on their farm in Miner County, (Bob Gassman farm) to William & Mary Neises.  She grew up in rural Miner County attending Clearwater Country School and Woodworth #3 in Roswell and graduating from Burbank High School in 1939.  Dolores attended Grand Island Nebraska Business College. She then moved to Chicago, IL. where she worked as a bookkeeper at a Coffee Company.

Dolores was united in Holy Matrimony to Wilbur Rasmussen at Epiphany, South Dakota on November 22, 1941. To this union three children were born: James, Judith, and Thomas.

After their marriage they returned to Chicago until Wilbur went to war.  They then moved to Florida, where they resided and their first child, James was born.  After the war they moved back to Howard when Judy and Tom were added to the family. In their retirement, they spent 29 years traveling to Harlingen, Texas as winter Texans.

Dolores was active in St. Agatha Guild, teaching CCD, bowling, Gray Lady at the Good Samaritan Center, Bridge Club, Extension Club and the Howard Golf Course.  Dolores was the City Golf Champion for many years. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, canning, fishing, bird watching and spending time with family. She enjoyed attending plays locally. Family camping/fishing trips were enjoyed in her younger years. Trips to the river fishing were also a hit. It was always a blessing when her nieces and nephews would stop to visit. She thoroughly enjoyed visiting with her sisters and other family that would stop to visit. Dolores was known as mom, Grandma Dee, gigi, and gma.  She always had a cookie for the kids (any age) and “one for the road”.  She was well known for her fried chicken.  She enjoyed playing cards and games with the kids.  “Little Stinker” was the favorite game with the kids. Dolores’ faith was inspiring.  She was a prayer warrior.  She taught her grandkids to pray the rosary when they stayed.  

Those grateful for having shared her life include her son: James (Betty) of Rapid City, SD; a daughter:  Judy (Don) Smith of Sioux Falls, SD; 4 grandchildren: Christi (Lynn) Borgers of Howard, SD; Jennifer Forbes of Gilbert, Arizona; Brian (Kodi) Callies of Howard, SD; Steven Callies & Juana Paulson of Keystone, SD; Great-grandchildren: Shelby, Sarah, William, Alexander, Andrew, Thomas, James , Jacob, Jonah, Samuel, Landree, Leah and Wesley; 1 sister-in-law Bonnie Burmeister;  a special “helper”/niece Barb Genzlinger as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Wilbur; a son: Thomas, all of her siblings: Gerald, John (Elaine), Leon (Jeannine), Marjorie (Perry), Alice (Gilbert), and Phyllis.

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