Gordon Rassman, 86, Owatonna
Gordon John Rassman, 86, died peacefully Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022 at Benedictine Living Community (Koda) in Owatonna.
Gordy was born Dec. 3, 1935 to John and Gertrude (Heide) Rassman in Cresco, Iowa where he was also baptized and confirmed.
In 1951, Gordy moved with his family to Claremont, where he graduated from Claremont High School in 1954. Shortly after graduation, Gordy enlisted in the U.S. Navy stationed in Port Hueneme, Calif. While on leave, Gordy met the love of his life, Gladys Kos at the Monterey Ballroom in Owatonna. Anxious to marry the woman of his dreams, in April 1956, he hitch-hiked from California to Minnesota to marry Gladys. A marriage that lasted 66 years.
After spending four years in the Navy, Gordy re-enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves in Minnesota at which time they moved back to Minnesota settling in Owatonna. In 1962, he was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserves.
Gordy lived in Owatonna, Claremont and Austin. He worked as a delivery driver for Wonder Bread and Tastee Bread, worked on the family farm in Claremont, and was in sales for Greene Doors and Hardware in Dodge Center. After retirement, he worked at Wal-Mart in Owatonna in the toy department putting bikes together.
In 2000, Gordy went back to school and earned a Kaipos Certificate of Completion from Luther Seminary for Lay Ministry. After which he was a substitute pastor at Aurora Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran in Blooming Prairie spreading the good word of the Lord.
Gordy’s interests include the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, golfing, traveling, mission trips and spending time with family.
He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Gladys of Owatonna; daughters, Kim (Dale) Wilder of Owatonna, Audrey (David) Tysdale of Owatonna; sons, Roger (Merry) Rassman of Fernandina Beach, Fla. and Rodney (Ann) Rassman of Waconia; sister Betty Buss of Owatonna and brother Robert Rassman of New York and sister-in-law Francis Rassman of Owatonna,11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Those meeting him in heaven are grandson Michael Tysdale; his parents, John and Gertrude; brothers, Wayne, Allan and Eugene; sisters Loretta (Donald) Moe and Mary Anderson; sister-in-law Kay Rassman; brother-in-law Allen Buss; and nephews, Scott Moe, Randy Moe, Jeff Thompson, Steve Thompson and Bruce Buss.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 at Brick-Meger Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Friends may greet the family two hours prior to the service beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. For more information or to leave a message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.