LaVern "Fritz" Henry Rasmussen | 1930 - 2025
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Mar 18, 2025 | 4:19 PM / 75 views
PIERRE, SD – LaVern “Fritz” Henry Rasmussen, 94, of Pierre, passed away March 10, 2025.
Visitation: 9:30-10:30am, Monday, March 17, 2025 at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30am, Monday, March 17, 2025 at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church
Interment: 3:00pm, Monday, March 17, 2025 at Kimball Community Cemetery
LaVern “Fritz” Henry Rasmussen of Pierre passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2025. Fritz was born September 5, 1930 in Pierre, the youngest child of Henry and Mary (Urban) Rasmussen.
Fritz was raised on his family’s ranch north of Presho, and enjoyed being surrounded by extended family throughout the area. Uncle Olaf and Aunt Leona Rasmussen lived on an adjoining homeplace, Aunt Ella and Uncle John Smith and family were just to the east, with many Urban Aunts and Uncles between the ranch and Presho. His many happy memories included hunting and fishing with his brother and cousins, and his father holding him on his shoulders to see President Roosevelt speak when he came through South Dakota on a whistle stop tour. He would tell you stories of the dirty thirties, how hard times were and how the family survived, and he vividly remembered hearing of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Fritz attended country schools in Lyman and Stanley Counties, living with his Aunt Annie Urban during the school year to be closer to school. He graduated from high school in Pierre in 1948, and had many funny stories of adventures while boarding in Pierre during high school. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from South Dakota State University in 1952, and thoroughly enjoyed his time there as well. He remained a fan of SDSU athletics for the remainder of his life, closely following their results.
In 1953, Fritz joined the US Air Force and received an appointment as an Aviation Cadet. He loved flying and seeing the country with the service. After his father suffered a heart attack in 1955, he was Honorably Discharged and returned to the ranch to work with his father and brother. Fritz enjoyed working with their cattle and community activities like dancing and auto races with his sister Babe, brother Hans and cousins.
Always a positive person, Fritz was over the moon when he met Jean Ann Brodkorb in 1966. They married a year later and established their home in Pierre, and he traveled daily to the ranch in Lyman County. Fritz and Jean’s happiness was multiplied as they welcomed children Steven, Leah Jo and Lynn to their family, and they became the focus of their lives. Fritz was a kindhearted, fun family man and friend who was always ready to help someone in need. Their grandchildren Zach, Ally, Jean Ann and Nevin were a constant source of joy and entertainment.
A cattleman through and through, Fritz served as president of the Grazing Association for many years. He enjoyed working with his children, nieces and nephews on the ranch and remained close to them all to the end. He worked hard to care for his family and to keep the ranch truly a family enterprise. Fritz was close to and just preceded in death by his sister Babe Rasmussen at 103 and cousin John (Junior) Urban at 95 in the past month. They were the last of their generation, and the losses are keenly felt.
After his retirement, Fritz and Jean enjoyed traveling (Hawaii being a favorite), visiting their children as they moved around the US, vegetable and flower gardening. Fritz thoroughly enjoyed his frequent trips to the ranch to “supervise” the boys, nephews Hank, Shawn and Justin.
Fritz is survived by his sons Steven (Maria) of Pierre and Lynn of Overland Park, Kansas, daughter Leah Jo McQuistion of Ft. Pierre, his grandchildren Zach McQuistion of Ft. Pierre, Ally McQuistion of Sioux Falls, Jean Ann and Nevin Rasmussen of Pierre, and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean Ann, his parents Henry and Mary, a baby sister who died in infancy, bother Hans and wife Betty of Presho, sister Babe of Presho, brother-in-law Floyd and wife Helen Brodkorb of Kimball, nephew Robert Rasmussen of Ft. Pierre, niece Ruth Rasmussen of Presho, and niece Penny Brodkorb of Sioux Falls.
