Obituary of Gaye Rasmussen

Gaye Marie Rasmussen, 65, of Bradenton, FL, formerly of Arnolds Park, IA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 9, 2023 in Bradenton, FL and went home to be with the almighty Lord as well as her mom Shirley, dad Don and sister Gail. On Saturday, November 18, a visitation will be held from 12-2 p.m. with services immediately following at 2 p.m. at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford, Iowa. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Milford. 

Gaye was born on January 25, 1958 to Orvin (Don) and Shirley (Kruse) Enderson. They made their home in Estherville. Gaye graduated from Estherville High School in 1976.

She married Scott Rasmussen in 1976 in Estherville, Iowa. This union produced two sons, Lee in 1977 and Philip in 1980. They made their life in Estherville, where Gaye started the daycare center in the Maniece building at the Estherville High School. After leaving the school, Gaye worked at Furniture Mart in Spirit Lake for 24 years.

Gaye married Keith (Mike) Dougherty on a boat in Miller’s Bay on August 14, 2004. The couple moved to Bradenton, FL in October of 2020 where they lived until her passing.

Gaye loved the water and Siesta Key beach was one of her favorite places to spend her day. She enjoyed trying new places to eat and looking for a new adventure. She loved her sons and grandsons more than anything and would do anything for them. She had a caring spirit and would help anyone she could. Her smile & laugh were infectious, she made those around her smile. 

She is survived by her husband, Mike of Bradenton, FL; sons, Lee (Allyson) Rasmussen and Philip Rasmussen, grandsons Carter, Kellan, Axel and Maverick, all of Estherville; nephew, Josh (Anna) Ryan of Waconia, MN and niece, Chanel (David) Jadack of Mazomanie, WI; step-daughters, Shelon of Blaine, MN and Michele of Ames, IA; great nieces and nephews and countless cousins that were like siblings. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Shirley, sister, Gail and several aunts and uncles.