Ronald Rasmus

Ronald Stuart Rasmus passed away at Tacoma General Hospital in the early morning hours of Friday, December 12, 2025, eight days shy of his 65th birthday.

Ron was born on December 20, 1960 in Blue Earth, Minnesota, the second son of Rodney and Elaine (Flaat) Rasmus. Ron graduated from Forest Grove High School in 1979 and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 1983. On November 29, 1986, he married his high school sweetheart Francesca "Fran" Rená Lane at St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota.

Ron was a three-sport athlete, strong academically, involved in student government, drama, and choir in high school. He was an articulate man who enjoyed a good debate with friends and family. Ron was a loyal friend who could be counted on being interested in your life. He was inquisitive, genuinely caring, and had a beautiful singing voice. Ron enjoyed writing, at one time working for Minnesota Public Radio, and taught English and Social Studies at Mt. Tahoma High School. He is remembered for his annual whimsical prognostications of the NCAA College Basketball Tournaments.

Ron was successful athletically throughout his life. He was the quarterback of the Concordia College Cobbers Football Team that won the 1981 NAIA Division 2 National Championship. He coached both football and basketball at St. Olaf in Northfield (MN) and was an assistant coach at PLU for two years. He coached basketball at three high schools in Tacoma (WA), and two times(!) led Mount Rainier Lutheran High School to 20-0 seasons.

Ron is survived by his son, Joshua Rasmus of Denver, CO and two uncles, Bob (Claudia) Rasmus of Edina, MN and Jim (Martha) Rasmus of Manitowoc, WI. He leaves behind cherished cousins and numerous loyal and precious friends in Tacoma, Forest Grove and spread out across the country. Ron was preceded in death by his beloved wife Fran, his parents, Rod and Elaine Rasmus, brother Rick Rasmus and sister Becky Rasmus.

A memorial service celebrating Ron's life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 am. Friends and family are invited to attend and share their "Ron stories" with each other. His and Fran's ashes will be committed to the ground at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery after a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to Cascade PBS and Trinity Lutheran Church. Arrangements were made by the Weeks' Dryer Mortuary in Tacoma.