December 21, 2020 at 2:24 p.m.
Carolyn Ann (Turcin) Rasmussen
Carolyn Ann (Turcin) Rasmussen
She was born Aug. 18, 1925, in Milwaukee, to Peter and Carolyn Turcin, the third youngest of eight children. Carolyn also had five half-brothers and sisters from her mother's first marriage to Ljebial Lessac prior to his death in the copper mines of Upper Michigan. Upon her mother's second marriage to Peter Turcin, they moved to Milwaukee where her father worked at Allis Chalmers. While still a child, Carolyn's mother passed away from cancer and shortly after that her father was killed in a freight elevator accident at Allis Chalmers. With the family orphaned, Carolyn's eldest half-sister and her husband, Liz (Lessac) and Erv Totz, gained custody of the family and raised them through the Depression. After graduating from high school, Carolyn worked her way through nursing school and became a registered nurse, working in Milwaukee area hospitals the next 30 years. In December of 1953 she married Lee Rasmussen, and in 1958 they welcomed their son Greg into their lives. In 1977 Lee and Carolyn left West Allis for Rhinelander, when they bought Iggie's Sportsman's Bar & Resort. Together with Greg and his wife Joy (Braun), they operated the business until 1990 when they retired.
Carolyn's long and productive life was centered around her love of family and her many enduring friendships. She constantly sang the praises of her grandchildren Luke (Erin) Rasmussen and Sarah (Craig) Barrett, and her four great-grandchildren - they meant everything to her. She deeply loved her daughter-in-law Joy and considered her the daughter she never had. She was thoughtful and devoted and kept in touch with everyone she knew by telephone and letter writing right up until her death. Carolyn believed that helpfulness and compassion for others was necessary for living a good life. She loved to knit and made hundreds of hats and mittens, scarves and baby blankets and afghans which were given to family, friends, and anyone in need. Through the years, she volunteered with various service organizations and community groups. She loved crosswords, reading, puzzles, "Wheel of Fortune" and classic movies. She enjoyed reminiscing and keeping family memories alive. She was content with simple pleasures and simple things. She always looked forward to card club, lunch dates, and any excuse for a social get-together including outings with Sherry and Rich of Northern Tours who kept a kind and watchful eye on her the last several years.
Carolyn was an amazing woman and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.
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