Funeral services for Ida Helen Rasmussen, age 91, of Alden, were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden. The Rev. Peter Soli officiated. Interment was in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m., Monday, April 14, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Ida died on Friday, April 11, 2003, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center.

Ida Helen Rasmussen was born on Nov. 28, 1911, in Detroit Lakes, Minn., the daughter of Ole and Brita (Oakland) Andersland. She spent her early years there and moved with her family to Norway when she was about 10 years old. After living in Norway for a couple of years, the family came back to the United States and settled in the Emmons area. Ida completed high school in Alden.

On April 18, 1931, Ida was united in marriage to Leroy J. Rasmussen. He preceded her in death in 1952. Ida worked for many years as a bookkeeper and salesperson for Ebert Plumbing and Heating in Alden. She was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school for 30 years. Ida was the first female church council member at Redeemer Lutheran Church. She helped start Semcac Senior Dining in Alden, was an officer in the Alden Band Mothers, and was responsible for starting the Alden food stop for the American Cancer Society Bike-A-Thon.

Survivors include her children: Verliss and husband Bill Wittmer of Alden, Inez and husband Dennis Haukoos of Lakeville, John and wife Rosie Rasmussen of Albert Lea, Mary Jensen of Albert Lea, and Maxine and husband Rick Hammel of Pleasanton, Calif.; grandchildren: Mitch and wife Peggy Rasmussen of Faribault, David Rasmussen of Alden, Peter and wife Pam Haukoos of Lakeville, Kari and husband Gerald Anderson of Savage, Sharon and husband Bob Bird of Freeborn, Todd Jensen and wife Mary Anne of Oregon, Jim Jensen and wife Karen of Germany, Jay Jensen and wife Kim of Oregon, Carol and husband Gary Davis of Oakland, and Britt Hammel of California; great-grandchildren: Josh and wife Tessa Davis of Oakland, Sara Davis of St. Paul, Kirsten and Anders Haukoos of Lakeville, Tor, Kaia and Gunnar Anderson of Savage, Luke, Shane and Kyle Rasmussen of Faribault, Taylor and Derek Rasmussen of Alden, Nicole and Matthew Bird of Freeborn, and Natalie Bird of Waseca; great-grandchildren: Janell, Christine and Sonya of Oregon, Nancy and Kimberly Jensen of Germany, and Jennifer and Miranda Jensen of Oregon; great-great-grandchild, Jordan Bird-Schultz of Waseca; three brothers: Clarence Andersland, Selmer and wife Agnes, and Orlando and wife Phyllis; and sister-in-law, Janel Niebuhr.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leroy; a daughter, Bertha May, in infancy; a stillborn granddaughter; granddaughters; Lori Ann and Kari Lynn Haukoos, sisters: Louise Andersland and Olga Madison; and sisters-in-law: Clare Mauseth, Alvina Brayland and Doris Svenningsen.