James Rasmussen

James P. Rasmussen was born March 1, 1939 to the late Harold and Ruth Rasmussen and died July 6, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin.  In Madison, he attended Nakoma Grade School and West High School, where he was an outstanding basketball player and golfer.  James attended and graduated from Lawrence University and excelled in basketball with some of his records still standing to this day.   While at Lawrence, he also was a member of the golf team.   Upon graduation, he worked for American Can Co. in several different locations as a salesman preparing him for his move back to Madison where he joined his father at Rasmussen Fuel Co.

All his life he loved U.W. sports; especially basketball.  James had a passion for golf; starting at Nakoma Country Club as a 14-year-old and later at Black Hawk Country Club where he made many life-long friends.

James is survived by his wife Beth; seven children Geoffrey (Pam) Herman, Mark Klein, Linda (Bruce) Bradley, Ellen (Doug) Kratz, Nancy (Tom) Carlisle, Anne (Dennis Olson) Klein, and Daniel (Dorothy) Rasmussen; 13 grandchildren Jim, Dillon, Amy, Maxwell, Kelly, Luke, Brinna, Jordan, Tyler, Natalie, JoBeth, Clay, and Kelsey; and 6 great-grandchildren.

He will be missed by many with his big smile and booming voice as his trademark.  He adored his children and grandchildren; his wife, Beth, was his best friend.

A small family funeral is planned with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Attic Angels, 8301 Old Sauk Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562, Agrace Hospice, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI, 53711, The U.W. Athletic Department or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Attic Angels and Agrace Hospice for their gentle, loving care given to James.