INA RASMUSSEN

INA RASMUSSEN

September 03, 1933 - September 17, 2022

Obituary

Ina Mae Rasmussen, age 89, died the morning of September 17, 2022. She was a giving, compassionate, and caring person throughout her life who helped numerous people.

She was born and raised on her family's dairy farm in Neenah. Ina began her schooling at Tullar Elementary when it was a one room schoolhouse. She graduated from Neenah High School in 1951. Ina began doing finishing work while still in high school and upon graduation built upon her skills to become an outstanding carpenter. She built homes and apartments in Neenah with Reddin Builders for her entire career, which spanned more than fifty years. She was a pioneer as a woman in a nontraditional career, and those who knew her were amazed by her endless energy, quality of work, and unyielding work ethic. Although she participated in many builds throughout Neenah, the most rewarding was building her own home on a section of land that was once part of the original farm. It was there she cared for her father during his aging years after her mother had died. She hosted many gatherings and celebrations for family and friends that included great stories, good food, love, and laughter. It was always a place of comfort during happy times and sad.

Not only did Ina have a large immediate family, her extended family was far reaching. She was preceded in death by her parents Nels and Martha (Schmidt) Rasmussen, four brothers, four sisters, and her longtime close friend Joyce Laurin. She is survived by two sisters, Rosie Buser and Hilda Van Camp, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, as well as Joyce Laurin's children and grandchildren, for whom she was an “adopted” mother and grandmother.

Ina and Joyce shared multiple travel adventures together, contributed countless hours to volunteer efforts, and exemplified the gift of a truly remarkable friendship.

A memorial service for Ina will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home. There will be a time of visitation from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service.

The family wishes to express gratitude and thanks to the many people whom helped provide loving care to Ina, with special recognition to Heartland Hospice.

Please consider remembering Ina by giving your time and kindness to others. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established.

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RR
Roger Reddin
Other •
Being that Ina Was Aunt, I can't remember a time that she was not around working, helping. Sometimes we had to go with my father to work. I must have been 12, so mostly i think i played on the dirt piles! I remember salesman would come to the jobs, for material orders. The new one's would ask, " is that a woman up there on the scaffoldings?" My father would say, " yup & she can drive a nail faster than most men!" OfCourse, I thought nothing of it, since I was only 12 at the time. At 15, we were working full time summers with Ina, Thats when you found out how much physical Carpenter was at that Time. Ina did it all! Drive nails, saw wood. lay blocks bricks, pour concrete, shovel dirt, plaster holes. Pretty much anything a home would need. Ina could do it! And she knew how to have FUN. Will miss working you INA. Roger
LM
linda miller
Other •
I am a niece of Joyce Laurin and her "sister of the heart", Ina Rasmussen. I have to stretch my memory to when I was a very small child to remember a time when the two of them were not sidekicks. They often included my mother in their companionship, and looked out for her devotedly. Words cannot convey my gratitude and affection for Ina. She is as much family to me as any relation. Thank heaven for the family who raised this remarkable lady, and shared her with my own. I extend my deepest sympathy to all who will miss her dearly. Love to you, Ina. I will always keep you very close to my heart. T
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Cindy, Penny and Tim
Other •
Celebrating a life well lived whose memories will be cherished forever. In Loving Memory of our Aunt Ina. Love, Cindy Nowak, Penny Lancaster and Tim Schwartzkopf.<br><br>A Sympathy Gift of Single Tree has been Planted In Loving Memory of INA RASMUSSEN courtesy of Cindy, Penny and Tim .
CR
Clyde Rasmussen
Other •
I remember Aunt Ina when I went with my father, Elmer, to a house build and was greatly impressed seeing my aunt carry two bundles of shingles, one on each shoulder up a ladder to the roof of the house.  Ina always had a smile seeing her whenever Family got together at gatherings at the family homestead…Aunt Ina mirrored my Dad’s work ethic and then some ! They both are responsible for so many duplexes in Neenah…!

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