Obituary for Nils Lennart Rasmussen
Nils L. Rasmussen of West Belmar, NJ passed away peacefully in hospice care at Doey's House, Hagerstown on October 19th at the age of 89.
Nils was raised in West Belmar and was a graduate of Manasquan High School, class of 1951, and attended the City College of San Francisco. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Aeolus ARC 3 during the Korean War as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class, based in San Francisco. Nils was predeceased by his beloved wife, Sigrun, with whom he raised a family in Spring Lake Heights. Returning to West Belmar, he and Sigrun treasured their many friends and neighbors. Nils and Sigrun were active in the Pride of Wall senior group and the local chapter of Sons of Norway.
Nils worked for the New Jersey Natural Gas Company for 39 years as a gas appliance repairman, and where he apprenticed under the legendary and eminently quotable Red Harkins, of blessed memory. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), local 1820, where he served as recording secretary for many years.
Nils will be remembered for his heavily recycled repertoire of corny jokes, one-liners, and not-so-quotable quotes. He had a lifelong love of the sea, from childhood fishing trips with his father, a commercial fisherman, to childhood days on the Shark River with his friends, and his years in the Sea Scouts. His time on the briny deep extended to his Navy years, as well as many hours aboard his boat, the Stavangerfjord, trolling for fluke on the Manasquan River with his cousin, Arne.
In addition to his wife, Nils was predeceased by his parents, Nils Rasmussen and Linnea Holgerson Rasmussen; a sister, Sonja Rasmussen King, and a brother Gene Rasmussen. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Lisa Graham (Lynn) of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Myrna Rasmussen (Michael Mandelkern) of Trabuco Canyon, CA, Ingrid Rasmussen (Jeffrey Bernstein) of Holden, MA, and his son, Michael N. Rasmussen (Susan) of Pacifica, CA, as well as grandchildren Kathryn, Caroline, Sara, and Jonathan Graham, Neal and Nora Mandelkern, Zachary and Nathaniel Bernstein, and Chelsea Rasmussen, and one great grandson.
Nils was laid to rest on October 22 in Greenwood Cemetery, alongside his wife and parents. Contributions in his memory can be made to Meals on Wheels, Interfaith Neighbors, 810 Fourth Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712.
Nils was raised in West Belmar and was a graduate of Manasquan High School, class of 1951, and attended the City College of San Francisco. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Aeolus ARC 3 during the Korean War as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class, based in San Francisco. Nils was predeceased by his beloved wife, Sigrun, with whom he raised a family in Spring Lake Heights. Returning to West Belmar, he and Sigrun treasured their many friends and neighbors. Nils and Sigrun were active in the Pride of Wall senior group and the local chapter of Sons of Norway.
Nils worked for the New Jersey Natural Gas Company for 39 years as a gas appliance repairman, and where he apprenticed under the legendary and eminently quotable Red Harkins, of blessed memory. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), local 1820, where he served as recording secretary for many years.
Nils will be remembered for his heavily recycled repertoire of corny jokes, one-liners, and not-so-quotable quotes. He had a lifelong love of the sea, from childhood fishing trips with his father, a commercial fisherman, to childhood days on the Shark River with his friends, and his years in the Sea Scouts. His time on the briny deep extended to his Navy years, as well as many hours aboard his boat, the Stavangerfjord, trolling for fluke on the Manasquan River with his cousin, Arne.
In addition to his wife, Nils was predeceased by his parents, Nils Rasmussen and Linnea Holgerson Rasmussen; a sister, Sonja Rasmussen King, and a brother Gene Rasmussen. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Lisa Graham (Lynn) of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Myrna Rasmussen (Michael Mandelkern) of Trabuco Canyon, CA, Ingrid Rasmussen (Jeffrey Bernstein) of Holden, MA, and his son, Michael N. Rasmussen (Susan) of Pacifica, CA, as well as grandchildren Kathryn, Caroline, Sara, and Jonathan Graham, Neal and Nora Mandelkern, Zachary and Nathaniel Bernstein, and Chelsea Rasmussen, and one great grandson.
Nils was laid to rest on October 22 in Greenwood Cemetery, alongside his wife and parents. Contributions in his memory can be made to Meals on Wheels, Interfaith Neighbors, 810 Fourth Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712.