Obituary: Norma Jean Rasmussen, 89, of Whitehall, formerly of Shelby

June 28, 2023

Norma Jean Rasmussen

Obituary: Norma Jean Rasmussen, 89, of Whitehall, formerly of Shelby

Norma Jean Rasmussen, 89, of Whitehall, passed away Monday, June 19, 2023. She was born April 4, 1934, in Shelby, the daughter of Eugene and Josephine (Schmuck) Shafer.

Norma graduated from Shelby High School in 1951. She married Dale Rasmussen on June 12,1952. The first years of their marriage were spent in North Carolina where Dale was in the U.S. Air Force at Fort Bragg, and Norma was employed as a secretary. They resided in both Shelby and Whitehall at different times while raising their four children.

Norma worked for many years as a teacher’s aide at Buttons and Bows Preschool in Whitehall. Norma enjoyed a good cup of coffee and was an avid reader. She was talented at both knitting and crocheting. She was known for her afghans, which she made specially for family members. Dale and Norma loved travelling and camping. One of their great joys was knowing they passed along the love of camping to their children and grandchildren, often joining them on camping trips. Norma treasured family gatherings and any opportunity to go shopping with her daughters and granddaughters!

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of White Lake Assisted Living and Hospice of Michigan for the compassionate care Norma received.

Norma is survived by: her brother, Edwin (June) Shafer; her children, Rebecca (John) Wahr, Joyce Cantlon, John (Lisa) Rasmussen, and Jean (Brian) Carpenter; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Norma was preceded in death by: her parents, Eugene and Josephine; husband, Dale Rasmussen; her sister, Sharon Dean; and great-granddaughter, Kinsley Wahr.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, June 30, 2023, at Benona Cemetery, 7391 W. Johnson Road, Shelby, with Pastor Paul Austin officiating. If inclement weather, services will be held at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby.

A luncheon will follow at Bridge Bible Church (Youth Building), 3777 Holton Rd., Muskegon.

Memorials may be directed to the Lupus Foundation of America; 2121 K Street NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20037. (Lupus.org/donate)

The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.