John P Rasmussen

John Percy Rasmussen, 78, of Clarkdale died April 5. He was born April 8, 1926 in Drayton, Michigan. Mr. Rasmussen received his education in the Drayton Public School System at Drayton, North Dakota. He then served three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1947 he began his career with Rural Electric Cooperatives as a power line lineman. He worked in that capacity for two cooperatives in Minnesota for twelve years. He then worked for Big Horn Electric Cooperative in Montana as an electrical advisor for five years, where he was in charge of Consumer Service Programs. During this time he served on year as Office Manager. In 1962 he was employed by Nespelem Valley Electric as General Manager and served in that capacity for 10 years. In 1972 he went to work for Kootenai Electric Cooperative at Coeur d\u0027 Alene, Idaho where he served where he served for seven years. He retired from Kootenai Electric after suffering a heart attack. During his tenure in a managerial capacity he was a dedicated promoter of Public Power for the Pacific Northwest. He served on numerous committee and Boards of Directors of Northwest Power Organizations. He served as Chairman of the Idaho Legislative Committee of the Idaho Cooperative Utility Association. He served as an Ad Hoc Committeeman on the Public Power Council Committee to study the impact of the Bonneville Environmental Impact Study upon the Regional Power Network. He served as President of Ruralite Services for two years. Ruralite is a regional cooperative that provides Safety and Job Training and a monthly magazine in the eight Western States. Ruralite also serves as a third party in futer power supply matters for the Pacific Northwest. He has represented the Washington Rural Electric Cooperatives on three separate hearings in Washington, D.C. to give testimony on Regional Power Projects. He served as President of the Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He has served as committeeman on the Council \u0026 Economic Development Committee of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association representing Region 9 on a national level. He has served as President of Coulee Dam, Washington PTA, President of Coulee Dam Fire Department and also served on the Coulee Dam City Council. On June 19, 1980 he has awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Northwest Public Power Association. After his retirement he served on the Board of Directors of the Indian Hills Homeowners Association in Vancouver. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, American Legion Post #25, the Elks #476 in Yuma the Mosse #1449. Mr. Rasmussen was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys. He leaves his dear companion, Ruth Lichti; daughters Teresa and her husband Larry Morley of Sicily, Italy, Leah Rasmussen of Anchorage, Alaska, Denise and her husband Paul Wilkinson of Glencore, Illinois, Cheryl and her husband Dan McKay of Vancouver, Washington; a sister, Arlene Holt of International Falls, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews (including Frank Simmons and family of Cornville), grandnieces and nephews. A memorial Mass was held on Thursday, April 7 in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 10 AM. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Legion Scholarship Funds, 480 Calvary Way, Cottonwood 86326 or to the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund, 700 N. Bill Grey Rd., Cottonwood 86326. Westcott Funeral Home directed these arrangements.