Keats Alan Rasmussen, formerly of Trufant, MI, was called to heaven on November 9, 2005. Keats is survived by his beloved bride of 49 years, Elizabeth “Ann” Rasmussen; his daughter and her husband, Sharon and Ron Fase of Alto, MI; his sister and her husband, Patricia Ann and Edwin Pedersen of Jupiter, FL; his brothers and sisters-in-law Oren and Arlis Fountain of Pickford, MI and Ed and Betty Fountain of Fennville, MI; his nephew and his wife, Gary and Connie Potter of Sparta, MI and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and longtime friends.
Keats was born to Howard Douglas and Laudra Emery Rasmussen on January 31, 1929 on the the family farmstead in Trufant. He grew up a hard-working farmer’s son. He attended the old Dixon School and graduated from Greenville High School where he was class president.
He was called to his nation’s service during the Korean War. He served with distinction as a member of the Counter Intelligence Service.
Keats earned his Bachelors Degree at Michigan Agricultural College (MSU) and began filling his then deceased father’s boots as the manager of the family farm. He also met, fell in love with, married, and was forever a devoted husband to his wife, Ann.
A severe back injury halted his farming career. He rose to this challenge by returning to school to earn his Masters Degree in Agriculture and a teaching certificate. He taught in the Central Montcalm School System for 26 years where he excelled in establishing demanding yet rewarding relationships with his students. One of his greatest joys was assisting students with the desire to learn to achieve personal success.
His dedication to teaching went beyond the classroom. He took every opportunity to assist those who wanted to learn, from his daughter learning to ride note-quite-broke horses to helping the Christensen boys across the road with tree identification.
Keats also enjoyed fishing, hunting and golfing with family and friends. Upon retirement, he became active in Missions at the First United Methodist Church in Greenville. Keats also held various positions with the Masonic Lodge in Trufant where he was a Life Member.
Keats will live on in the hearts of those who knew him for his honesty, integrity, dignity, sly and dry humor and his quiet love for those around him. He struggled with emphysema and was on oxygen since 1999. We wish him a HUGE pain free breath of fresh air when he crosses into Heaven. We miss you.
Visitation will be on Thursday, November 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hurst Funeral Home. The memorial service will be on 11 AM Saturday, November 12 at Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trufant Masonic Lodge Scholarship Fund.