Obituary of Michael Dean Rasmussen

Michael Dean Rasmussen, age 52, of Yankton, passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 09, 2015 at his residence. Memorial Services will begin with a rosary at 3 PM, Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton. Visitations will be from 5-7 PM, Monday, January 12, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with the family present. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Honorary Urn bearers will be his siblings. Michael was born on November 1, 1962 to James and Donna (Higby) Rasmussen in Hastings, NE. He grew up in Harvard, NE from 1967-1970 before his family moved to Norman, OK where they lived for the next three years. In 1970 his family moved to Yankton, SD where Mike attended Lincoln Elementary and Yankton Middle School. He graduated from Yankton High School in 1981, where he excelled in academics, athletics, music, oral interpretation, and drama. During his freshman year, he won the local Optimist Club Original Oratory contest which allowed him to advance to the Regional contest. While participating in the Regional contest in Minneapolis, he rescued a man who was drowning in the hotel swimming pool. Mike received letters of commendation from President Reagan and the Governor Kneip of South Dakota. Following graduation he continued his education at the University of South Dakota and Mount Marty College. Throughout his life, Mike worked at a variety of occupations and was a very good cook. He was also blessed with natural talents and a passion for theater, singing, and composing and playing music. He was a favorite with his ten nieces and nephews, who looked forward to spending time with "Uncle Mike". Those who will cherish his memory are his mother and stepfather, Donna and David Fischer of Yankton, SD; his father and stepmother, James and Mona Rasmussen of Magnolia, AR; six brothers: Christopher (Stephanie) Fischer of Sioux Falls, SD, Jeremy (Angela) Fischer of Lincoln, NE, John (Kelly) Fischer of Cedar Falls, IA, Timothy Fischer of Lincoln, NE, Brad (Jamie) Rasmussen of San Diego, CA and Thomas (Concetta) Rasmussen of Berlin, CT; three sisters: Deb Rasmussen of Lincoln, NE, Monica (Ryan) Locey of El Dorado, AR and Kristin (Mark) Lehner of Springdale, AR; nieces: Corissa Buehner, Sofia, Melena, Evelyn and Renee Fischer; nephews: Adriano Rasmussen, Jackson, Gavin, Griffin and John Fischer; and many friends and relatives. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents: Darleene and A.C. Rasmussen, Alice and Velvin Higby, and Frances and Anthony Fischer.