Ellen Suzanne Rasmussen (1947-2024) Obituary and Memorial

Life story

Ellen Suzanne (Sloan) Rasmussen, 76, of Burlington Junction passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family. She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, James Rasmussen, her three daughters Jennifer Rasmussen (Nigel Rixson) of Omaha NE, Julia Malaga (Ross) of Randolph, NJ and Jillinda Thornton (Jake) of Coin, IA, honorary daughter, Joni Beason of New Market, IA, five grandchildren (Nicholas Worl, Ariana Worl, Rachel Malaga, Benjamin Malaga and Samantha Janda (Christopher), three great grandchildren (Rosalie Pope, Silas and Liam Janda), her brother, Richard Sloan, and many beloved extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mildred Sloan, her brother Maurice Sloan, her granddaughter Michelle Malaga and her great granddaughter Eden Grace Janda.

Suzanne was born in Elmo and raised in Burlington Junction and was the fifth of seven generations of eldest daughters named Ellen. She was a graduate of West Nodaway High School (Class of 1965) and Gard Business School (St. Joseph, MO). After many years of farm life and raising her three girls, she worked in the lunchroom at West Nodaway High School for 14 years, making sure no child went hungry. She worked the last few years of her career for the Department of Family Services, until she retired in October 2013. In her retirement, she served as the manager for the Burlington Junction Housing Corporation.

Suzanne lived a life of service to her family, her church and her community. She was a lifelong member of the Burlington Junction United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She served in leadership positions for both organizations on many occasions. When her girls were young, she was a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Junior Auxiliary Leader. If there was something her girls were involved in, she made sure to support them and attend all their activities.

She was known to be kind, cheerful and helpful. She always volunteered to help when and where she was needed with a smile and positive attitude. Her passion in her later years was the No Hunger Summer initiative at her church.

Suzanne enjoyed cooking and was well known for her baked goods and homemade egg noodles. She loved assembling family history and pictures for her cousins. She enjoyed spending time with her family and will be dearly missed. She will lay at rest at Ohio Cemetery in Burlington Junction, MO.

She was a woman of noble character (Proverbs 31: 10-31).

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