Donald Lawrence Rasmussen

1934 - 2017

Donald Lawrence Rasmussen
June 13, 1934 - August 4, 2017

Donald Lawrence Rasmussen was born June 13, 1934 in Bakersfield California, the only child of Bill and Catherine Rasmussen. He graduated from Garces Memorial High School in 1952. After high school he attended seminary school for one year and realized that priesthood was not his chosen career. He then attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in English. With his degree in hand, he began his 30 years of working for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He entered into the department as a Correctional Officer in San Luis Obispo and retired as Assistant Warden at the California Institution for Women in Chino, Ca.

Donald was raised in Bakersfield and loved sharing his fondest memories of his youth. When he was a young child, he contracted rheumatic fever and was bedridden for several months. His Basque grandmother Marie, took care of him while his parents operated their restaurant, "The House of Rasmussen". It was during this time he became an avid reader. As a teenager, he spent one summer out in the country at the Etcheverry farm. He truly cherished that summer being out in the country with his Aunt Rose and his cousins, Louie and John Etcheverry. Even in the advanced stages of his dementia, when he was driven around Bakersfield, he would often acknowledge and identify places and houses of people he knew.

During his career, Donald was able to fulfil his love to live and work throughout California; making many life time friends. He took the opportunities in his life and turn them into memories for his 6 sons. Some of these opportunities included being a fisherman in Morro Bay, reconstructing a passenger bus into a luxury motor home, owning property in Baja California, refurbishing antiques, restoring classic furniture and crafting his own furniture.

While in Bakersfield, he taught his sons the construction trade. Donald helped his sons learn how to construct/remodel houses, teaching them the components of a good house and the value of having purpose in what you build.

After retirement he lived in Bandon, Oregon for about 20 years. While living in Bandon he married Gloria La France. They later moved back to Northern California and enjoyed sharing their home with visits from their combined families. Due to his health, Donald moved back to Bakersfield for the last 18 months. He and Gloria spoke daily on the telephone as their children took over their medical and daily living needs.

Donald is survived by his loving wife, Gloria La France, sons, David, Steven, Bruce (Meg), Eric (Michelle), Jeff (Gina) Rasmussen; 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Catherine Rasmussen; sons Brian and Kenneth; daughter-in-law, Michelle; and first wife Joan.

Donald was a gentle, kind, and compassionate man who loved his family dearly. He told his family how much he loved them and appreciated them, every chance he had, reminding us to do the same. He loved his Catholic faith and was often seen at weekly mass. His family wishes to thank his son Bruce and his daughter- in-law Meg for the tender loving care they provided over the last 18 months in Bakersfield.

A special thank you to ADAKC and Annette Pellens & staff at "The Westchester Home" for their love, support and care of our dad.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 11th at 10:00am at Christ the King Church 1800 Bedford Way, Bakersfield, CA 93308.