Obituary of Finn Anker RASMUSSEN

June 21, 1941 – Endeslev, Denmark

July 12, 2021 – Cochrane, Alberta

Finn (Papa) Anker Rasmussen, beloved husband of Kirsten Margrethe Rasmussen (nee Larsen) of Cochrane, AB, passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021 at the age of 80.

Finn was born in Enderslev, Denmark on June 21, 1941. He joined the Danish army in 1959 as a civil defence reservist and was stationed in Copenhagen for a year.  Finn later married Kirsten Larsen in 1966 in Herfolge, Denmark. In his younger years Finn was an avid fowl and deer hunter and went on numerous trips with his beloved hunting dogs Rolf and Pow.

Finn graduated from the Karise Business School and later with distinction from Nestved Carpentry School as a journeyman carpenter. He also achieved the Canadian designation of Red Seal carpenter further on in his career.

Finn’s vacation to Saskatchewan in 1974 inspired him to immigrate to Canada to start a business and to raise his family. In 1975 he moved with his wife Kirsten, two boys, Kim and Bo and his German shorthaired pointer, Pow from Denmark to a small prairie town in Saskatchewan called Redvers. Later that year, his daughter, Lotte was born. Here, Finn started a successful general contracting business called Rasmussen Construction building over 60 single family houses, several apartments and commercial buildings and a large hotel in the area. Finn became a respected and valued member of the community and was in constant demand working as a European trained carpenter in small town Saskatchewan along side his two sons.

Finn accomplished much throughout his life and he was particularly proud of the numerous young carpenter apprentices whom he mentored over his 50-year career. Finn also inspired his grandson, Wesley, who followed in his footsteps becoming a Red Seal journeyman carpenter receiving the Dean’s award from SAIT in 2021.

Later in his career, Finn found great joy working as a Construction Superintendent in both Greenland and the Canadian Arctic spending over 20 years working with Ninety North Construction & Development Ltd. Finn had a deep appreciation and compassion for the Canadian Inuit people. He was very much at home working and living with the Inuit where he found many good lasting friendships while developing a love for Inuit art. Finn could often be found visiting with Inuit carvers who were working in their back yards and he was also known to bring a bag of groceries or left-over construction materials to people in need in these communities.

Finn was a master carpenter, innovator and inventor who could often be found tinkering in his impeccably well-organized carpenter shop thinking of new ways to construct and obtain patents for his inventions. He also had a talent and passion for working with wood. In his retirement, at the age of 75, he became an apiarian (beekeeper); he designed and built his own wooden beehives as well as handcrafted furniture.

Finn loved nature and would often be seen feeding his chickens, the birds and other various local wildlife. Over the years, he and his family created an oasis of trees with accompanying vegetable and flower gardens on their beautiful acreage in Grand Valley, Ontario. Finn also possessed a deep appreciation of music and he particularly enjoyed listening to Merle Haggard, Mahalia Jackson and Willie Nelson.

Throughout his life, Finn went out of his way to help others in a quiet and humble way never seeking praise or recognition. He will be most remembered for his generosity, integrity, professionalism, work ethic, strong sense of family and loyalty.

Besides his loving wife, Finn is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lotte Loveridge (Dave), of Cochrane, Alberta; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Kim Rasmussen (Lorrie) of Cochrane, and Bo Rasmussen (Mary Katherine) of Calgary; five grandchildren, Kenya Rasmussen, Wesley Loveridge, Kash Rasmussen, Keelor Loveridge, Charley Loveridge all of Cochrane; and the beloved family pet dog Sophie.

Finn is also survived by his two brothers Knud-Arne of Denmark, and Birger (Audrey) of Saskatchewan; along with his two   sisters Merete and Lilli-Ann (Elon) both of Denmark.

Finn was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Johannes; his brother John Henry (Jytte); and his sisters Birgit (Erik) and Inger in Denmark; and sister-in-law Meta.

A Private Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to join Mr. Rasmussen’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Finn Rasmussen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.

Finn's memorial card can be viewed using this link.

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