Florence Marie Rasmussen, age 89, died March 10, 2009, in Eau Claire, WI, at Care Partners Assisted Living.\r\nShe was born November 26, 1919, in Milwaukee, WI to Vittoria and Francesco Patti, the seventh of 10 children.\r\nFlorence grew up in and went to school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After high school she attended the Milwaukee Area Technical College taking business courses. She met Eugene Rasmussen while attending school there before World War II. They were married in 1941. She went to California with Gene while he was in Army Air Cadet training. After Gene was sent overseas, Florence returned home to Milwaukee and worked for Express Freight Lines. It was during this time that Gene's airplane was shot down over Germany and she became the wife of a prisoner of war. \r\nAfter the war, she moved with Gene to Clam Falls, WI, and resided there for over 20 years. She was active in the American Legion auxiliary and in the Mound Homemakers group. In the late 1950's, she began working outside the home, first at the Luck yoyo factory and later at Fabri-Tech in Amery, WI. In 1968, she moved to Osceola, WI, and in 1974, to Scandia, MN. In 2003, she moved to St. Francis Apartments in Eau Claire, WI. \r\nFlorence enjoyed her family and enjoyed being outdoors and participating in activities as camping, canoeing, fishing and traveling. She attended many of her grandchildren's concerts and sporting events. She loved to watch the birds from her kitchen window and was a serious football fan. \r\nShe is survived by two sons, Carl (Lea), Robert (Karla); and a daughter, Patricia (Lawrence) Griffin; seven grandchildren, Andrea, Deanna and Rebecca Rasmussen, Michael Rasmussen, Ryan Griffin, Dale (Tim) Erlandson, and Katie Griffin. She is also survived by her three sisters, Margaret, Josephine, and Marie; sister-in-law Frederica; and by many nieces and nephews. \r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; a son, Anthony; her parents, Vittoria and Francesco Patti; brothers Santo and Anthony; and sisters, Vincenzia, Jenny, Rose and Francis.\r\nMemorial services for Florence will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2009, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home with Monsignor Edmund Klimek officiating. Family and friends may call one hour prior to the time of services, Friday, at the funeral home. Private burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

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