Officiating Reverend Angie Loomis United Church of Manilla
Cardinal Bearers Grace's Great-grandchildren
Casket Bearers: Scott McLaren, Bill McLaren, Matt Theophilus, Rian Rasmussen, Regis Rasmussen, Jason Rasmussen, Jacob Segebart, Sam Factor
Honorary Casket Bearers: Kara Roeder, Niki Theophilus, Suzy Theophilus, Adrienne Collins, Allison Rasmussen, Arynn Rasmussen, Jessica Hinners, Katie Rasmussen, Natalie Segebart, Whitney Segebart
Memorial contributions may be made and will be distributed according to her wishes.
Graveside Funeral Service Friday July 9, 2010, 3:00 PM at Nishnabotna Cemetery

The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in thought, word and deed, and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at the Rasmussen Home - Grace requests that guests use the front door - following the committal service.

Grace Elizabeth, daughter of Edwin L. and Doris A. (Jenks) Murray was born September 24, 1918, at Mitchell, South Dakota. The family moved to Denison, Iowa when Grace was a young girl. Later Grace moved to Manilla where she graduated from Manilla High School in 1936. During high school Grace was active in theater, speech and she played the string bass in the orchestra. Grace was a rural school teacher in Iowa Township No. 6 after completing her Normal Training.

On June 11, 1939, Grace with united in marriage with Leo J. Rasmussen. They made their home in Manilla and were the parents of six children. Grace and Leo were active in the community. At one time she ran a book store, Different Drummer, out of their home. Grace was an active member of the United Methodist Church and a district officer for the United Methodist Women as well as a member of Eastern Star. She served on the Advisory Council for Western Iowa Tech Community College and was a lay member of the Physical Therapy Licensing Board. Grace and Leo enjoyed traveling all over the world. Grace was also a member of the Manilla Library Board and everyone will remember her for the thousands of post cards that she sent to let people know she cared. Throughout her life, Grace maintained her interest in writing; she was a published and prize winning author with her novel, short stories and poetry.

Grace died peacefully at her home in Manilla surrounded by her family on Thursday, July 8, 2010, at the age of 91 years, 9 months and 14 days.

Preceding Grace in death are her parents; two brothers, Eugene Murray and Robert Murray; two sisters Margery Disburg and Donna Sheffield and son-in-law John McLaren.

She is survived by her husband Leo Rasmussen of Manilla; six children: Katherine McLaren of Cedar Rapids; Karol and husband David Theophilus of Fremont, Nebraska; James Rasmussen and wife Virginia of Manilla; Jerry Rasmussen and wife Barbara of Manning; Kristina Rasmussen and husband Robert Factor of Madison, Wisconsin, and Karen and husband Ryan Segebart of Denison; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters Vesta and husband Joseph Senger of El Paso, Texas, and Janet Brandt of Oelwein; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.