Donald Edwin Rasmussen

Mercedes/Minnesota: Donald Edwin Rasmussen, 87, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2019, at his home in Mercedes. Donald was born on December 10, 1931, in Brown County, Minnesota to Edwin and Myrtle (Henry) Rasmussen. Donald grew up with his two older sisters, Ann and Betty. The family moved several times during Donald's childhood, mostly all over Minnesota. He graduated from Greenbush, Minnesota where he participated in academics and athletics, largely football and hockey. Shortly after high school, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the beginning of the Korean War. He was a radar technician and then was sent to officer training, where he became a fighter pilot in the F-86 Sabre Jet until the end of the Korean War. During a short leave before leaving for Japan, Donald met Meryl Graham. They courted via snail mail for the next year, and when Donald returned home, they were married in a couple of months and would spend the next sixty-two years together. Donald and Meryl raised four children together, David, Dane, Scott, and Heather. They also moved often as Donald's career was demanding, but they spent most of their child-rearing years in Baudette, Minnesota. Donald graduated from Moorhead College in Minnesota and taught school in Baudette. He ultimately began a life-long career for the U.S. Customs Service. Donald excelled in his career, earning a position on the CCINC (Cabinet Committee on International Narcotics Control). He traveled the world, teaching courses in Germany, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Israel. He wrote the course syllabus. Donald retired in 1988, but not before trying his luck as an entrepreneur. He and a partner ran a small fish factory for a few years towards the end of his career, which ended only due to an unexpected fire. He and Meryl spent the next 31 years enjoying life. They traveled the country, spending a few years in Florida and Arizona, but eventually settled for winters in the Rio Grande Valley, Mercedes, Texas in 2004. Donald and Meryl made treasured friendships and enjoyed dancing, playing cards and visiting with friends. Donald was a true sportsman and loved hunting, especially ducks, geese, and deer. Donald was a life-long learner and earned membership in Mensa International. Donald always worked on something, whether it was a new invention, or just learning about a new trade. He had a patent for a game carrier and copyright for a goose decoy. Donald's favorite pastime was the game of golf, which is a sport that requires athletic ability, intelligence, sportsmanship, and integrity. Donald was all of these things and much more. He will be remembered for his wit on and off the golf course, his leadership in his career, his example to his children, and his devotion to his one true love, Meryl. Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Myrtle Rasmussen, his son Dane Edwin Rasmussen, sister Betty Prosser, sister in law Betty Mitchell, and niece, Renee Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Meryl, sons David Rasmussen and Donald Scott Rasmussen (Karen), daughter Heather Rasmussen (Lou Murray), grandchildren Isabella and Zachary Graham Rasmussen, sister-in-law Donna Beaudry, and nephews Kevin and Gary Prosser.