Erlis J. (Trulson) Rasmuson

Erlis J. (Trulson) Rasmuson, 81 of Britt, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Hancock County Health Systems in Britt.

Memorial services for Erlis Rasmuson will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church, 70 5^th Avenue North West in Britt with Pastor Willie Rosin officiating.  Burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

A time for fellowship and luncheon with Erlis’ family will follow the memorial service. 

Erlis Jean (Trulson) Rasmuson was born in Britt, Iowa on February 11, 1940 to her parents Earl and Hildur Trulson. This petite, speedy tomboy followed her daddy into nature, loving the beauty of God’s creation.

Erlis married her class of ‘58 Britt high school sweetheart, Bob Rasmuson, and the couple moved to the Rasmuson family farm near Eagle Lake. The weather was not kind in those first years of farming, so Bob and Erlis now with four little children moved to town and began a journey of many jobs and some big dreams. Rasmuson Standard Service was launched in downtown Britt, and Erlis was in charge of financial bookkeeping. Her service to the Britt community continued at the Ben Franklin, Dr. Thede’s office, and Buck’s law office; but a fishing dream would not be forgotten.

For some, fishing is a nice past time, but for Bob and Erlis angling was a passion and a dream. Erlis felt closest to God when casting a bobber onto the water, listening to the loons, and enjoying the peace and beauty of her Father’s world. So in their mid forties, the couple sold their worldly possessions and moved to Brainerd, Minnesota managing Cozy Bay Resort on Lake Edward. Seven cabins and a small campground blossomed into summer celebrations with stringers of fish proudly displayed on Polaroid photos around the game room. Ironically, the resort work was so intense in the summer months, there was no time to fish! So Bob and Erlis caught their walleye and northern in the winter months huddled inside a toasty warm ice fishing house made of scrap Winnebago parts. Many trophy walleye and northern were plucked from an ice hole and sliced into big jars for pickling, a staple during those first lean years of their dream.

After a dozen years, it was time to pass the resort to another, so Erlis worked at Wal-Mart in Brainerd before she and Bob moved back to their hometown to re-engage the Britt community. For Erlis, that meant activities in the First Lutheran Church and community service with the Lioness Club.

Erlis turned her attention to her gifts in quilting and crafting. Each of her 11 grandchildren received a Grandma Erlis quilt upon high school graduation. It was not unusual for her to tour a crafting store, smile, and think, “I can do that.” The next creation often sent her into roadside ditches for wildflowers or under trees for pinecones. If a garage sale caught her eye on such outings, so much the better.

Erlis cared deeply for her family, and she modeled an unconditional love just as God loved her. Her presence at activities for her children meant many hours happily sitting on sports bleachers and church pews. Her children listened for her unmistakable little cough and they celebrated her generous words of affirmation.

Her 81 year, well-lived journey ended on March 20, 2021 with her four children gathered around her, story-telling, praying and toasting her beautiful life. Erlis is preceded in death by her husband Robert William Rasmuson. Her large family will continue her memories and dreams: her sister, Shirley Tegtmeyer of Britt and her children, Robin (Greg) Helle of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Greg (Jolinda) Rasmuson of Roanoke, Illinois, Todd (Tamara) Rasmuson of Minneapolis Minnesota, and Kelly (Marge) Rasmuson of Ankeny, Iowa. Her grandchildren are Amber (Jon) Watson, Alex Earles, Tyler Rasmuson, Lindsey (Addison) Dailey, Zachary (Grace) Rasmuson, Luke (Alyssa) Rasmuson, Michael Rasmuson, Jacob (Jaime) Rasmuson, Daniel Rasmuson, Kristin (Jeremiah) Smith, Renee (Josh) Essington. Her great-grandchildren number 9 and growing.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church of Britt or the West Hancock Scholarship and Loan Fund.