On January 31, 1962 she married Delmar Rasmussen at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island. She began her teaching career in Maryland where her husband was stationed in the army and continued teaching in Omaha and Waverly after they moved back to Nebraska. Together they had five children, Douglas, Karen, Steven, Laura and Daniel. She loved raising her children , helping with their activities and interacting with their friends, who affectionately called her “Mother R”. As her kids went off to school, she became involved in one of her passions Head Start Health Advisory- vision screening for children. For many years she did visual screening every fall.
She also became a Mary Kay beauty consultant during this time and continued for forty years. She loved the people she met and developed many friendships over the years.
After her husband’s death in 1992, Carol recreated her career. She continued her Mary Kay sales but opened a new marketing and research company called Foot in the Door. She employed several college students and once again, her mothering instincts came out as she always had treats waiting for them when they came to work. She made work fun for all.
During these years she was active in P.E.O. Chapter DX, Junior League, and Delta Gamma. Carol was a past president of Delta Gamma Alumni and with her lifelong friend Marilyn Carr, cofounded the Delta Gamma Young Alumni Award. She later received this award for her continued involvement.
She was also a member of a group called R.A.K. (Random Acts of Kindness). This was the perfect group for Carol, because there is nothing she liked more than helping others.
After ten years as a widow Carol and Bryce were lucky enough to find each other and on June 8,2002 they were married. They were able to spend nearly twenty years together traveling, going to Husker games and tailgates, dancing, entertaining, visiting the casinos, attending the activities of grandchildren, spending time with family and enjoying life.
Carol was one of those generous people that always remembered birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. She was a real fan of Hallmark cards. When the kids were going through her things, they found enough cards to supply the entire family for years. Carol loved “retail therapy”, she liked to shop for jewelry, colorful jackets, shoes, purses but most of all she loved to look for cookie jars. Her collection was huge and when her friends learned that she liked them, they were happy to make additions. Carol had a cookie jar for every holiday as well as any other event you might want to celebrate. Being a wonderful cook and baker, she would fill them with all kinds of treats. She loved spending time in the kitchen and spoiling people with her delicious food. Another way for her to make people feel special.
Her smile could light up a room. Upon looking through her baby book, her family noticed that from the very beginning of her life Carol was always smiling. It was infectious and she kept people smiling throughout her lifetime.
She is survived by her husband Bryce, daughters Karen (Mark) Warren, Lincoln and Laura (Corey) Decker of Victor, NY, sons Steve Rasmussen of Kansas City, KS and Dan Rasmussen of Shawnee, KS, grandchildren Meg Warren, Lincoln, Sydney Rose and Kyle Rasmussen, Kansas City, KS, Bryant, Ainsley and McKinley Decker, Victor, NY, Alana and Neleigh Rasmussen, Shawnee, KS, step-children Angela Bonness Johnson, Arlington, TX and Andrew (Dawn) Bonness, Lincoln, NE, step grandchildren Erin (Zach) Brown Oklahoma City, OK, Alissa Larson, Arlington, TX and Katie and Ella Bonness, Lincoln, NE, sister Pat (Art) Hughes, Bethesda, MD and sister-in-law Rita (Roger) Jones, Minden, NE.
She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Del Rasmussen and son Douglas John Rasmussen.
Memorial Service 4:00PM Thursday, September 16th at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel
Memorials to Nebraska Leukemia Society or Nebraska Audiology (Barkley) UNL.