Nels Irving Rasmussen

Nels Irving Rasmussen, 93, passed away on Jan. 8, 2017, at his home on Walluski Loop Road, following a brief illness.

He was born on April 12, 1923, in the farmhouse on Walluski Loop to Danish immigrant parents, Nels J. and Inga (Henningsen) Rasmussen. He and his five sisters helped on the family dairy farm and with gillnet fishing. Nels attended Pleasantview School, grades one through eight, and graduated from Astoria High School in 1940.

Nels served in World War II in North Africa and Europe for 21/2 years as a military policeman. Following discharge, he attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle. After completing one quarter, he returned to the family farm and to gillnet fishing in Astoria.

On Oct. 11, 1948, he married Shirley Pauline Brandt in Cedaredge, Colorado. They settled on the farm on Walluski Loop Road, reared four children and enjoyed 51 years of marriage before Shirley’s death in 2001.

Nels married Winefred Jeanette Speas in Astoria on May 26, 2002. Living in Warrenton, they enjoyed 11 years of marriage until Winnie’s death on July 7, 2013.

Farming, first dairy then beef cattle, and gillnet fishing were Nels’ work. During the summers of 1965 to 1967, he worked in Bristol Bay, Alaska, gillnet fishing. From 1967 until his retirement in 1986, Nels also worked at the Astoria Plywood Mill.

Nels’ focus in life was his family and Christian faith. He taught Sunday school, led Bible studies and was a member of a prayer group. Over the years, he was a member of Trinity, Peace and First Lutheran churches. He was a spiritual mentor to many people.

Nels was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Lower Columbia Danish Society, Clatsop County Small Woodland Owners, Salmon for All and the Clatsop County Historical Society.

He loved to garden and generously gave away many vegetables, flowers and apples. He was an avid reader and pinochle player.

He is survived by his children, Martha Counts (Jon) of Myrtle Point, Beth Owen (Dave) of Milwaukie, Richard Rasmussen of Astoria and Ruth Tompkins (David) of Salem; grandsons Tim Counts (Mae) of Sweet Home and Alex Tompkins of Apex, North Carolina; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kenneth and Dixie Brandt of The Dalles.

He is also survived by his stepdaughters, Becky Colvin of Warrenton, Anna Haley (Gary) of Livingston, Texas, Carol Dennehy (Dave) of Spokane, Washington, Elaine Carter (John) of Spokane, Washington, and Donna Buganan (Ed) of Hammond; and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Nels was preceded in death by his wives; parents; five sisters, Johanna Amundsen (Bernard), Thora Skov (Karl), Petra Lackey (Roscoe), Christina Meyer (Vern) and Inga Mae Youtsler (Mark); and grandson Erik Counts.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 9:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church. A luncheon will follow at the church.

Contributions in Nels’ memory may be made to First Lutheran Church or the Astoria Rescue Mission.