Merle Edgar Rasmussen, age 90 of LeRoy, Minn., died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Austin Medical Center in Austin.

Merle was born on Jan. 15, 1920 in Goldfield, Iowa to Fred and Dora (Helmke) Rasmussen. After graduating from Goldfield High School, he enlisted in the Navy in 1942, serving in World War II. Merle married Peggy Stark in California in 1947. The couple had four children.

Merle worked as a farmer in the Wesley, Iowa area. After his retirement in 1984, Merle moved to Colorado for several years, and then came back to Minnesota for the last few years.

Merle loved to golf, play cards, and bowl. He enjoyed music, singing, dancing and was a lifetime member of the Wesley Legion. His love of the outdoors found him hunting, fishing, and hiking over the years.

Survivors include his three daughters: Linda (Marv) Nieman, Forest City, Iowa, Jo Eastvold, LeRoy, and Donna Gietl, Denver, Colo.; one brother: Forrest “Pat” (Blanch) Rasmussen, Wesley, Iowa; nine grandchildren: Phil Twait, Allen Stokka, Tony Stokka, Aadne Stokka, Andrea Sanford, Jenny Main, Cassie Gietl, Prescott Rasmussen, Alexandria Rasmussen; ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Peggy, the mother of his children; one son, Fredric; brother Kenneth Rasmussen; and sister, Francis Smith.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt with Pastor Robert Dodge officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Wesley, Iowa and military rites will be conducted by American Legion Andrews Post 428 of Wesley. Memorials are preferred to LeRoy Emergency Services, who assisted Merle in his times of need.