Ray Rasmussen, 92, passed away on January 19, 2025. He was born on January 8, 1933, in Lincoln, Kansas, in a house that served as a hospital. Ray spent his childhood just a mile south of Denmark, Kansas, and attended grades 1 through 8 in Denmark before graduating from Lincoln High School in 1951.
The son of Chris and Esther Rasmussen, farmers in Denmark, Ray grew up with a strong work ethic, a firmness in his faith, and a love for his community. After high school, he began working at Jim Page Motors, where he stayed until enrolling at Kansas State University. It was there that he met his wife of 67 years, Pat Kilpatrick Rasmussen.
In 1956, Ray was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Augusta, Georgia. While on leave that fall, he proposed to Pat. They were married on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1957, in Great Bend, Kansas. The couple lived in Augusta, GA until Ray’s military service concluded in 1958.
Following his time in the Army, Ray and Pat returned to Denmark briefly before settling in Lincoln, Kansas, where they lived for over 60 years. In 2020, they relocated to Augusta, Kansas, and in 2022, they moved to Two Timbers in Highland, Kansas. They are members of the United Methodist Church, Lincoln.
Ray’s professional career was defined by his commitment to the Lincoln community. After working for Lou Skinner at the Lincoln Hatchery and Earl Myers at Myers Chevrolet, Ray became the owner, editor and publisher of the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican. He dedicated over three decades (1965–1998) to the newspaper. During Ray’s time at the newspaper, he was able to witness the technological revolution in the printing industry. Going from handset type and letter presses, to phototypesetting equipment and eventually the personal computer.
In 1971, Ray partnered with Ellsworth businessmen to establish LE (Lincoln Ellsworth) Offset, a modern printing facility equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The facility printed the Lincoln Sentinel and numerous other community newspapers, expanding Ray’s impact beyond Lincoln.
Publishing and editing a weekly newspaper left little time for hobbies; however, Ray was never one to sit still. He enjoyed tinkering with cars and riding motorcycles. When his grandchildren were visiting, he would often entertain them with singing – a talent he displayed all his life. He and Pat took several trips to Colorado Springs and Branson on the Goldwing. After retirement, they were able to spend more time with the grandchildren, travel a bit, and enjoy season tickets to the New Theater in Kansas City.
Ray is survived by his wife Pat Rasmussen; their children, Cheryl Rasmussen, Nancy (Troy) Nordman, and Steve (Sandy) Rasmussen; his brothers, Keith (Peggy) Rasmussen and Erik (Pam) Rasmussen, his sister-in-law, Matty Kilpatrick; six grandchildren: Abby Phillips (Cody), Tyler Nordman (Stephanie), Nicholas Nordman (Taylor), Katy Jenkins (Jaylen), Corbin Rasmussen (Lindsey), and Cameryn Rasmussen; ten great-grandchildren and one on the way; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Henrietta and Vernon Kilpatrick; sister and brother-in-law, Joy and Elmer Jacobsen; sister-in-law, Virginia Wickham and brother-in-law, Don Kilpatrick.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, January 23 at 11:00 am at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland, KS with family greeting guests one hour before the service. Friends may sign the guest book at Chapel Oaks in Highland on Wednesday, January 22 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Jeff Jacobsen, nephew, will officiate. Military honors a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.
On Friday, January 24, family will greet visitors in Lincoln, KS at Parsons Funeral Home at 1:00 followed by a graveside service at 2:00 pm at the Lincoln Cemetery. Friends may sign the guestbook at Parsons Funeral Home in Lincoln on Friday beginning at 10 am. Military honors provided by the VFW Post at Lincoln, Kansas.
