PRESHO, SD – Marian “Babe” Rasmussen, 103, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Mary House in Pierre, SD, surrounded by the loving family.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 7, 2025 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Presho, SD. The Rosary will be said at 10:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 10:30 a.m. and the burial service at Holy Angel Cemetery in Presho.

Marian Rasmussen was born on July 3, 1921 on the family farm north of Presho, SD to Henry R. Rasmussen and Mary Anna Urban Rasmussen. She would welcome her two younger brothers Hans R. Rasmussen and LaVern “Fritz” Rasmussen over the next decade.

In the fall of 1927, Marian started her journey with education, in 1st grade at the Brule School. She needed to stay with her Aunt Anna and Uncle Bill Urban at this time, as there were no schools near their farm for her to attend. She had very fond memories of this year. In second grade she moved back home and started attending Cedar Valley School. Education was very important to Marian and she left the farm on several occasions to pursue her own education. It was not uncommon for her to spend days, weeks or months away from home. Staying with family, friends or boarding to obtain an education.

She graduated high school in 1939 from Pierre Senior High School and went on to get her first-grade teaching certificate from Notre Dame Junior College in, Mitchell, SD. After receiving her certificate, she started her teaching career in a one-room school house, teaching in several locations throughout Stanley and Lyman counties over the next several years. She would continue her education by obtaining her State Certificate for teaching. In the fall of 1958 she returned to school, attending Southern State College in Springfield, SD, to complete her 4-year degree. She had received her 2-year degree earlier during the summer months off from teaching. After obtaining her 4-year degree Marian taught several years in Presho. In 1962 she started teaching 4th grade in Chamberlain Public School system, where she would remain until her retirement.

Marian never married but continued to educate and aspire her students until 1983 when she retired from a 39-year teaching career. Throughout the remaining years of her life, her former students would often stop her and regal her with the memoirs for their time in her classroom. Marian had an amazing memory of all her students and continued to follow their achievements throughout their lifetime.

After retiring Marian moved back to the family farm north of Presho where she continued to live until moving to Presho permanently in 2005. Marian was a fundamental part of the farm and her family. During the summer months her home was a revolving door of family, where she would make sure everyone was fed a proper noon-time meal a.k.a dinner. Additionally, there was always a sweet treat nearby, often including her special apricot cookies. She maintained the homestead, continuing to do her daily chores including feeding the chickens and cats, loved tending her flower beds, and crafting with the nieces and nephews; she made sure to pass along her knowledge and love of the farm to each generation. Marian cherished family, the farm, her faith and education.

Marian is survived by her brother LaVern “Fritz” Rasmussen and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, baby Rasmussen born to early, her brother Hans R. Rasmussen Sr., her sisters-in-law Betty M. Rasmussen (Hans) and Jean A. Rasmussen (Fritz), her nephew Robert “Bob” Rasmussen and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She will be greatly missed but left each with a plethora of knowledge and memories.

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