Gordon Rasmussen

Rugby

Gordon Rasmussen, 93, Minot and formerly of Rugby died peacefully on Friday, August 1, 2025 in a local nursing home from natural causes. His family was at his side.

Gordon Arthur Rasmussen was born on December 1, 1931 in Bottineau, ND to Chris and Dagmar (Thorpe) Rasmussen. He was raised in Omemee, ND and graduated from Omemee High School as the class Valedictorian and excelled in basketball and baseball. As a young adult he was employed in the family business Omemee Bottling Works and in construction on the Garrison Dam. Then, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served on active duty during the Korean War. After the war, he received his honorable discharge and returned to North Dakota where he met Mavis Larson of Rugby.

Gordon married Mavis on September 26, 1955. They made their home in Rugby where Gordon was employed as a telegrapher and depot agent. His employment with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway took the family to numerous communities in North Dakota prior to his retirement in Minot following 42 years with BNSF.

Gordon was a member of The Railroad Transportation Communication International Union. He especially enjoyed riding motorcycle, fishing, traveling on Amtrak, and attending his family members activities even if he had to juggle his work schedule.

Gordon’s loving family includes his wife of almost 70 years: Mavis; Gordon and Mavis had four children: Jim, Lori, Keith and Gary. Jim’s and Laurie’s family of Minot includes Jim’s daughter: Tasha of Fargo; Lori Squitieri of Goldsboro NC is the mother to Dustin of Wilson NC; Dana (Deceased) and Derek of Vacaville CA; Keith (Deceased) and his wife Darla have a son: Grant of Fresno CA; Gary and Dawn have two children: Alecia of Minot and Alex of Anchorage AK; great grandchildren by Tasha (Madisyn and Sophie), Dustin (Austin and Savanna Squitieri), Dana (Maddox and Meelah Wilcox), Derek (Chase and Kinsley Squitieri); Alecia and husband Andrew (Aidyn and Ariya Hanselman), Alex and wife Sara (Grayson, Charlotte and Winslow Rasmussen), Grant and wife Cassie (Rex and Conner), sister: Karen Christenson and several nieces, nephews and cousins as well as Dana’s husband: Mike Wilcox.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, son: Keith, granddaughter: Dana and siblings: Isabelle Lowe, Mitzi Bartholomew and Doris Rasmussen.

Celebration of the Life of Gordon Rasmussen: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

In Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel – Minot.

Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park – Minot.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, August 14, 2025.