Patricia Mae Rasmusson

Patricia Mae Rasmusson, 89, of Cedar Falls passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Western Home Communities Nation Cottage of Cedar Falls.  She was born December 20, 1929, in Crawfordsville, Iowa, daughter of Paul and Ola (Orris) Howell.  Pat grew up on the family farm and graduated from the Columbus Junction High School.  She attended Iowa State Teacher's College where she received a two year teaching certificate.  Pat was married to Jack Rasmusson on June 25, 1950, at the Central Presbyterian Church of Columbus Junction.  They lived in Texas while Jack served in the U.S. Air Force.  After he was discharged, the couple made their home in Cedar Falls staying here for the remainder of their lives.  When Iowa changed requirements for teachers, Pat returned to UNI so she could continue with her passion for teaching young students.  She worked with 4th and 5th graders at Valley Park and North Cedar, retiring in 1995. Pat was a former officer of the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of First Presbyterian Church, belonged to ADK teacher's sorority and was also a former officer for the Cedar Falls Education Association.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack, in 1989; her brother, John; her sister, Joyce Hochreiter; sister-in-law, Pat Howell; and brother-in-law, Jim Smith.  She is survived by her sons:  Don (Kathy) Rasmusson and Dave (Lori) Rasmusson both of Cedar Falls; her grandchildren:  Aimee (Kyle) Abben, John (Macayla) Rasmusson, Daniel Rasmusson, and Megan (Mitch) McAlister; her great-grandchildren: Parker, Mackenzie, Gunnar, Gage, Rylan, Connor and Remy; her sisters, Norma Lindner of Lincoln, NE and Marilyn Smith of Davenport; her brother, Jim Howell of Columbus Junction; and brother-in-law, Blair Hochreiter of Arkansas.

Pat's funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Falls on Monday, December 23, 2019, at 1:30 pm with visitation the prior evening from 4-6:00 pm at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home also of Cedar Falls.  Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery of Cedar Falls following the funeral service.  Memorials may be directed to UnityPoint Hospice or First Presbyterian Church and condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com .

Pat was a very happy and supportive mother and grandmother who greatly appreciated daughters-in-law and granddaughters in her life after raising two boys. Her family had a long standing tradition of vacationing at Clear Lake and she continued the tradition by taking her grandchildren for long weekends. Pat would join her grandchildren in duets at their piano recitals and enjoyed attending the symphony and Cedar Falls band performances.  She was a excellent cook who put on huge spreads for her beloved family.