Jane Rasmussen

Jane Rasmussen, 86, of Sleepy Eye, MN died on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at Sleepy Eye Medical Center. Wilma Jane Woodford, the daughter of Bertha Madge (Freeman) Roy Francis Woodford was born August 8, 1922 in Redwood County, MN. She grew up on the family farm southeast of Redwood Falls. Jane attended school in Redwood Falls and went on to Teachers Training in Lamberton. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Mankato State in June of 1970. On November 5, 1943, Jane was united in marriage to Richard William Jacobsen of Morgan. She accompanied Richard while he was enlisted in the Army Air Corps and lived in Texas and Nebraska. In 1944, a daughter, Janice Marie, was born prematurely but did not survive. At the conclusion of the war, they settled on the Jacobsen family farm south of Morgan where they farmed, raised five children and resided for 49 years. On December 1, 1992, Richard passed away at age 72. Jane was a homemaker and teacher. She returned to teaching in the Brown County school system in 1965 and later taught first and second grades in the Morgan Public Schools until her retirement in 1987. Jane and Paul Bud Rasmussen were united in marriage on July 7, 1994 and resided in Sleepy Eye for over 14 years. Jane was socially active and loved being with people. Throughout her lifetime, she was active in many church and community group such as Red Hats, Zetetic Club, Brookville Study Club, and the United Methodist Women. Her church activities included serving on many committees and as office holder at the local and district level. Jane treasured her friendships and enjoyed playing cards and having coffee with friends. Jane was dedicated to her family, taking time to visit and cherish her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved the lake and loved to fish so the past four summers, she planned and gave the gift to her family of a week spent together at the lake. She is survived and dearly missed by her family; husband Paul Rasmussen; daughter Judy (Lloyd) Tompkins of Park Rapids, sons Alan Jacobsen of Morgan, David (Charlene) Jacobsen of Northfield, Curtis (Lisa) Jacobsen of Prescott, WI, grandchildren Marcus (Tricia), Aaron, Autumn, Amber, Kristen, Adam, Nathaniel, Michael, Courtney and Nicholas, great-grandchildren Maxwell, Ryan and Christian. She is also survived by John Andersen, husband of oldest granddaughter Nicole (deceased.) sister, Marie Jenzen of Alexandria, sister-in-laws Helen, Lillian and Eileen Woodford, step-sons Paul Jr (Linda) Fred (Jane) Mark, step-daughter Sandy Johnson, and many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband Richard, daughters Janice Jacobsen and Kathryn Jensen, grand-daughter Nicole Andersen, six brothers (Fred, Elmo, Leroy, William, Donald and Robert) and three sisters (Thelma, Elizabeth and Lucille).