William "Bill" G. Rasmussen

William "Bill" George Rasmussen, 61, of Laurel, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Laurel, NE; with Pastor Jaime Farias officiating. Visitation will be held 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the United Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Cancer Center for Children. Arrangements are under the direction of Bressler - Munderloh - Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE. If you knew him, you know he was a great man. Always ready for a joke and a good time, an ability to make you realize how gullible you really were, and a heart filled with an incredible amount of love for his family and friends. If you didn’t know him, I’m sorry to tell you, you missed out. Bill was born in Norfolk, NE on June 3, 1954 to his parents Lyle and Joan (Mitchell) Rasmussen. He was raised in the Orchard, Nebraska area attending and graduating from Orchard High in 1973. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving for 3 years as a Tank Specialist. After his service, he returned to Nebraska, where apparently tank specialists were not in high demand. Instead, he pursued his love for farming and raising livestock for several years. In 1995 he moved with his family to Laurel, NE. Over the years he worked in both the construction and trucking industries. He will always be remembered for his “whooping” cheers when he watched Husker Football, the love he had for sitting on a lake with a cold beer and fishing pole in hand, playing cards, and above anything else his dedication to children and the way he could rock the most upset grandchild to sleep in no time flat. Bill is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lorraine Rasmussen. Children Chad Soukup (Michelle), Brooke Ross (Joe), Linsey Van Ornum, Troy Rasmussen (Paige), and Kent Rasmussen (Kelsey); and 9 Grandchildren Lexi, Emma, Allie, Shayne, Taylor, Mathew, Jacob, Tyler and Chloe, as well as one grandchild TBD and due in June. He also leaves behind his sisters and brother; Sharon, Cindy, Don, and Sally all of Nevada and California. You will be forever in our hearts.