Clyde Earl Rasmussen, age 90, of Baldwin, Wisconsin, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the Baldwin Area Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

Clyde was born on August 4, 1921 to Hans and Ruth (Duckert) Rasmussen in Hammond. He grew up in Hammond where he graduated from Hammond High School and the class of 1939. After graduation Clyde found a job delivering coal for his cousin, Clyde Hanson. Shortly after, he found work trucking for St. Croix County Highway Department. He did this until being drafted into the US Army Infantry in July of 1942. He proudly served his country in World War II where he fought on Omaha Beach, was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and fought in many other parts of Europe. While on a furlough in 1943, Clyde was married to Cosette Schmidt. That marriage would be blessed with four children; Cherie, Craig, Celé, Celeste. In 1945, Clyde returned to Hammond. The family remained there where Clyde took over his father’s fuel oil company as well as opened the Philips 66 Truck Stop at the intersection of Hwy 63 and I-94 (now the Kwik Trip and McDonalds). In 1968, Clyde’s marriage to Cosette was dissolved. He would continue to own and operate the truck stop until the early 80’s. Clyde was united in marriage to Marjorie Sittlow on June 20, 1980 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hammond. The newly formed Rasmussen family would settle in Baldwin and Clyde would continue to help out at the truck stop. Once Clyde formerly retired, he dedicated his time to his hobbies. This included vegetable and flower gardening as well as stained glass. Clyde created everything from signs to boxes to scale model buildings. Almost everyone in the area has probably seen or enjoyed one of his beautiful creations at one time or another. Clyde even made Christmas ornaments out of stained glass. Clyde loved Christmas and decorating his home for the holidays was one of his highlights of the season He also enjoyed woodworking – building all kinds of different pieces for friends and family. In his leisure time Clyde and Marge would head to the casino to play Keno and Bingo. He was a dedicated family man and left a positive mark on everyone he encountered in his life.

Clyde is survived by his; wife, Marge of Baldwin, daughter, Cherie Johnson (friend Tom Langford) of Hudson; son, Craig (Gloria) Rasmussen of Woodville; son, Celé (Cyndi) Rasmussen of Baldwin; daughter Celeste (Bruce) Berg of Ridgeland; stepsons, Jerry (Colleen) Sittlow of Someret, Michael (Darlene) Sittlow of Hammond, and Daniel (Kathy) Sittlow of Harlingen, TX; step-daughters, Janice (David) Trebesch of Hudson, Roxanne (Wayne) Tunheim of Baldwin and Debbie (James) Richard of Danbury, WI. Clyde is further survived by his; sister, Delores Nisen of Baldwin; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; friends and dear friend, Linda Sittlow.

Clyde is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

A Celebration of Clyde’s life will be held at 11 o’clock in the morning on Friday, March 16 at the First Reformed Church of Baldwin. A visitation will be held for 1 hour prior to services. Burial will be held privately at a later date. Memorials given will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project and Baldwin American Legion in his memory. Friends are encouraged to dress casually and comfortably. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory – Baldwin, Wisconsin. 715.684.3434