Alice Theresa (Geltel) Rasmussen

Alice Theresa (Geltel) Rasmussen peacefully passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018, with family by her side. Alice was born to Andrew and Katherine Geltel (Feldewerd) on August 23, 1929, at the family farm south of Grenora, North Dakota. As the baby of the family, she joined Joe, Mary, Hilda and Helen. Her elementary education was at the local country school; she graduated from the Grenora High School.

She married Farrell Rasmussen on July 3, 1951. Together, they raised five children: Terry, Cheryl, Linda, Kathy and Doug. After living in several places, they eventually settled in Plentywood, Montana, in the early 1960s. Plentywood is where Alice spent the majority of her life being mother, grandmother, business owner and farm wife. She especially loved watching her granddaughters grow up in Plentywood and loved being a part of their lives. In the later years, after Alice had left Plentywood, she would talk about "back home," and everyone knew she was referring to Plentywood.

In 2004, she embraced a new life when moving to Langdon, North Dakota, to be near her daughter, Cheryl. For the next 10 years, she enjoyed her trips to the bakery, shopping adventures to nearby towns, going out to eat, reading, and anything with her grandchildren (including grand-dogs and cats).

Her final move was to Billings on her 85th birthday. All of her children came together to help her make this 700-mile trip to her new home at MorningStar Senior Living. Although her body was slowing down, her resilience was evident as she took on this change of eating with new people, singing gatherings, beauty shop visits, and music with wine evenings. People commented on her determination and noted she was never one to complain. They would see her moving around with her walker taking "little bitty" steps, smiling and greeting other residents.

Her great-grandchildren loved to visit Grandma Alice, ride on her walker, and go to coffee with her. Grandma always had a genuine smile for her great-grandchildren and graciously shared her never-ending bowl of candy with them. Even at 85 pounds, "little Alice" would still let you know her wishes: ice cream with every meal, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, black coffee, outside for a cigarette, let me sleep a little longer, what clothes she wanted to wear.

Alice had a quiet strength about her that was hidden by her gentle but always perceptive nature. She experienced many changes in her 88 years of life. Alice handled each change with grace and an inner strength. She was one to find the good in a situation. As long as she had a good book to read and good company, Alice could find contentment.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her children: Terry (Amy) Rasmussen, Cheryl (Jim) Balk, Linda (Joe) West, Kathy (Bob) Peters and Doug (Mary) Rasmussen. She was grandma to seven grandchildren who fondly remember her teaching them how to play cards, going to the Dairy Queen for supper, and having Lucky Charms for breakfast. She was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren.

A special thanks to all of the staff at MorningStar and Reflections for the wonderful care you gave our mother during her last years. You made her feel so welcome, safe and secure, which was very important to her.

A private family service will be held at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary on Friday, March 16, with interment at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.