Walter Rasmussen

Walter “Wally” J. Rasmussen, 71, of W6110 Lost Arrow Road, Fond du Lac, died Sunday, September 24, 2006, at Grancare Nursing Home, Fond du Lac.He was born on October 20, 1934, in Phillips, Wisconsin, a son of Art and Mary Hutnik Rasmussen.On April 12, 1953, he married Anna “Ann” B. Maske in Bessemer, Michigan. They lived in Cedarburg for 14 years before moving to Fond du Lac in 1969.Wally was a tool room supervisor at Mercury Marine for over 40 years, retiring in 1995. He also owned and operated Rasmussen Repair, a snowmobile parts and repair shop. Wally was known by his family and friends as a man who could fix anything, even if he had to engineer his own parts to make it work. He was a member of Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Eden Lions Club. Wally was also a member of the Antique Snowmobile Club of America, Antique Classic Snowmobile Club of Canada, Vintage Snowmobile of USA and Canada, Elcho Sno-Devils Snowmobile Club of Antigo, founded the Ruff Riders Snowmobile Club in 1970, and was a member of Snow Flyer Snowmobile Club, both of Fond du Lac. He was an avid snowmobiler and all terrain vehicle enthusiast. He shared his passion for these sports by serving as a snowmobile safety instructor, ATV safety instructor, and as a trail boss for both. He also enjoyed boating, camping, and traveling with his wife in their motor home. They visited all fifty states and fifteen foreign countries.He is survived by his wife, Ann Rasmussen; four children: Wauline Kuhn of Fond du Lac, LeeAnn Land of Phoenix, Deborah (Melvin) Shepherd of Plant City, Florida, Lori (Lee) Kavage of Fond du Lac; six grandchildren: Angela Kawleski of Lake Mills, Shannon (Paul) White of Okinawa, Japan, Sean Land of Phoenix, Logan, Tyler and Shane Kavage all of Fond du Lac; two sisters: Esther (Normand) Croteau of El Cajon, CA, and Louise (Frank) Olzewski of Withee, Wisconsin; two brothers: Franklin (Ursala) Rasmussen of West Bend, and Douglas Rasmussen of Phillips.He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Russell “Rusty” Kawleski.The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 29, 2006, at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, 40 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac with Rev. Douglas V. Hedman officiating. Entombment will be in Ledgeview Memorial Park, Shrine of Rest Mausoleum. The visitation will be 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2006, at Mach Funeral Chapel, Fond du Lac, and on Friday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Alzheimer’s Association or Agnesian Hospice, Fond du Lac.Mach Funeral Chapel is serving the family.

Walter Rasmussen

October 20, 1934 - September 24, 2006