Wilbur "Tater" Rasmussen

Wilbur "Tater" Rasmussen, 97, of Lenox, formerly of Prescott, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Greater Regional Health in Creston. Celebration of life services will be 11 AM, Wednesday, December 28th at the Prescott United Church-Disciples of Christ. The Rev. Mary O’Riley will officiate. Open visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 27th with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 809 W. Montgomery, Creston. Wilbur will be laid to rest in the Mount Zion Cemetery, north of Prescott, following the service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wilbur Rasmussen Memorial to be established by the family. Memories and condolences can be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com

Wilbur Hans Peter Rasmussen, son of Anna Marie (Johnson) and Albert M. Rasmussen, was born August 18, 1925, on the family farm near Preparation Canyon in Manona County near Moorhead, Iowa. As a toddler, Wilbur was crawling in his new striped overalls when someone remarked, “He looks just like a Tater Bug!" The nickname stuck and was used throughout his life. He graduated with the class of 1942 from Moorhead High School. Following graduation, he worked with his father at the Rasmussen Hatchery and Feed Store and as a mechanic before going to Pisgah to work for Ralph and Bernadine Martin. While there one evening, he went to a school open house and met his future wife.

Wilbur and Radene May Brown were married on February 14, 1947, at the Bethesda Lutheran Church near Moorhead. In 1948, they moved to Prescott to farm with his father-in-law where Tater worked the ground and as recently as 2020 was still able to climb on the tractor and combine to help out. He drove a school bus for the Prescott School for many years, especially enjoying bus trips for the sporting events.

Tater was a member of the Masonic Circle Lodge #555 and a Charter Member of Eastern Star. He served on the Prescott Community School Board during the 1961 new addition, as well as other community projects. When Radene retired from teaching in1989, the couple wintered in Mission, Texas. Tater enjoyed horseshoe pitching, restoring cars and card playing in retirement. The last two years, Tater has been a resident in Vintage Parks Apartments in Lenox.

Tater is survived by his children: Retha (Kendall) Starek of Ackley, Iowa; Marilee (Anthony) Kajewski of Dunkerton, Iowa; Lonnie (Lynne) of Prescott, Iowa; Tracy (Diane) of Lake Lotawanna, Missouri; and Kendall (Darcy) of St. Paul, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife, Radene, infant son, Roger; infant daughter, Cindy; his parents; brother, Irvin "Mike" Rasmussen; and sister, Julia Wakehouse.