Gretchen Annette Rasmussen, age 80 of Baldwin, died peacefully Wednesday September 8th 2010 at Boutwell’s Landing in Oak Park Heights. Gretchen was born on February 4, 1930 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; the daughter of Ole and Grace (Klanderman) Aamodt. She was raised in Baldwin where she graduated from high school. She furthered her education at Central College in Pella, Iowa which was cut short when she fell in love with a young man named Lyle Rasmussen. The couple would wed on December 1st 1950. Lyle and Gretchen purchased her father’s pharmacy in Baldwin which they operated for many years until passing the torch to their son Dane. She was the matriarch of the family she dearly cherished, which included her husband of 58 years, four children, and nine grandchildren. She rarely missed a school event or program. Her family enjoyed her laughter and sense of humor as she made holidays and everyday special.

Lyle and Gretchen traveled the world; quite often their journey was to explore their family’s genealogy. They thoroughly enjoyed their many trips to places such as Norway, Holland, and Denmark. One of her favorites was to China. Gretchen also took great pleasure in the Senior Outreach program through the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She was a proud member of the Baldwin Area Hospital Auxiliary and a former president of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Association Auxiliary.  

Gretchen is survived by her four children:  Nancy (Isaac) Fox, Dane (Deb) Rasmussen, Lynne (Nick) Van Deelen, and Jack (Becky) Rasmussen; nine grandchildren:  Sam and Sophie Fox, Tom and Kris Rasmussen, Ben, Anna and Abby Van Deelen, and Emily and Sid Rasmussen. She is preceded in death by her husband Lyle and sister Marilyn VanDokkumburg.

Funeral service for Gretchen Rasmussen will be 11AM Monday, September 13th at First Reformed Church in Baldwin with Pastor Tim Sluiter officiating. Burial will be in the Baldwin Cemetery with her grandchildren serving as casketbearers. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 until 4PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin and one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Memorials are preferred.