Arthur Rasch, 85, Minot, formerly of the Halliday area, died Saturday, July 4, 2009, in a Minot hospital.

Arthur was born Feb. 25, 1924, at Halliday, the son of Christian and Lydia (Kruckenberg) Rasch. He was raised on the family ranch six miles north and two miles west of Halliday, and attended school at Pioneer #1, one mile from home. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church and worked on the ranch as a young man until he entered the Army Feb. 25, 1945, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. After training in Arkansas and passage to Japan via troop carrier, he was assigned the duty of transporting prisoners to trials in Tokyo. He served 10 months in Tokyo and was honorably discharged from the Army Dec. 6, 1946.

On Aug. 13, 1950, he and Mildred Wagar were married in a country church north of Granville. Art took a job as a North Dakota state brand inspector assigned to stockyards in Fargo, Grand Forks, Sioux City, Iowa, and finally in 1959, Minot. Art and Mildred raised three children in Minot, while he continued, until 1966, as a brand inspector. He then began employment with the U.S. Postal Service, working as a distribution clerk until 1988, when he retired.

Art was baptized in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Community of Christ) on March 28, 1953, in Fargo. Some years later, he was ordained into the RLDS priesthood. He and Mildred gave much of their time for many years as Sunday school teachers and building committee members. Art especially enjoyed keeping up the church grounds.

His life centered around his family. His lifelong passion for music included playing guitar, piano and pump organ. He passed that love of music to his children and supported their musical training. He also enjoyed reading, and retained a love for learning and the natural world throughout his life.

He was a member of the Minot American Legion and attended concerts of the Minot Symphony Orchestra for more than 40 years. He was also a regular contributor to various religious, educational and charity organizations.

His loving family includes: children, Douglas (Kathy) Rasch, Clearbrook, Minn., Justin (Beth) Rasch, Minot, Donyta (Mike Barker) Rasch, Vancouver, B.C.; grandchildren, Adam, Emily, Amanda (Matt Wald), Kristen and Bryan; great-grandchildren, Grayden and Griffin; brothers, Walter Rasch, Prescott Valley, Ariz., and Richard Rasch, Halliday; sister, Agatha Schossow, Casper, Wyo.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mildred; sisters, Hilda Rasch, Erna Knutson and Edna Transtrom; and brothers, George, Roland, Otto, Herbert and Albert.

Funeral service: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.

Visitation: Today, July 7, from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).