Obituary of Harvey Lee Rasmussen

HARVEY L. ''SKIP'' RASMUSSEN January 11, 1931 - March 7, 2009 Harvey L. ''Skip'' Rasmussen, 78, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2009, from the result of a horse riding accident, in Vancouver, Washington. He was born January 11, 1931 to Henry M. and Alma C. Rasmussen in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He moved to Clark County in 1958 where he resided for over 50 years. Harvey was the recipient of a heart transplant September 20, 1991 at Oregon Health Sciences University. Approximately 50% of those who receive heart transplants survive an average of ten years. They had recently celebrated the 17th anniversary of his heart transplant at OHSU. He is survived by his three children: Ron Rasmussen of Alaska, Debbie Buck and her husband Dwight of Idaho and by Roger Rasmussen of Hawaii. He is also survived by five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; his sister, Lillian Lutterman of Grand Rapids, MN; eight nieces and one nephew, numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, and many long-time friends in Clark County. He was preceded in death by his sister, Eileen R. Danson in 2005; and by the mother of his children, Barbara Martell in 2006. Harvey was a self-employed contractor building many homes in the area. He was a member of the Clark County Saddle Club and the Washington State Grange. He raised Polled Herefords, was the 4-H leader for the Tailtwisters Club during the 1970's and 1980's and spent many years as a livestock superintendent at the Clark County Fair. ''Skip'' enjoyed working with children, training horses, hunting, and fishing. A Celebration Service to remember ''Skip'' will be held at 1:00 Thursday, March 26, 2009, at the Washington State Grange Hall, 7701 NE Ward Rd., Vancouver, WA. There will be a time for all who wish to share a short memory of ''Skip''. Immediately following the service you are invited to join the family for a potluck to conclude at 4:00. For potluck details, contact Catherine at 833-8809. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances in Harvey's name to Oregon Health Sciences University, Heart Transplant Foundation, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Rd., Portland, OR 97201, or to a charity of your choice. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.