Ursula M. Rasmussen

Ursala Mary Rasmussen, 80, of Holmen, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025.

Ursala was born on September 6, 1944, to John and Ursala Grapa in Phillips, Wisconsin. After graduating from Phillips High School in 1962, she attended Milwaukee Beauty School. She spent several years as a hairstylist. She completed computer and business classes from MATC. She also earned her ASL Interpreter certification from UWM.

She married her high school sweetheart, Frank Rasmussen, in 1964, and had two children, Dawn and Nicole. This past summer they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Ursala and Frank settled in Cedarburg, where she was a co-founder and vice-president of Custom Service Hardware, Inc. from 1977 until 2015. In 1974, Ursala and Frank felt called to work with the deaf. They established a Deaf ministry in Milwaukee and surrounding areas through their local church. This ministry continued for over 50 years. She also served on the executive board of Silent Word Ministries and on the Bill Rice Ranch advisory board. After moving to West Bend, Ursala served as a volunteer at Ozaukee Christian School. She contributed to several projects that benefited that school and also Coulee Christian School. She was the type of person who was moved to action when she saw a need.

Ursala loved to work in her flower beds, travel, work on arts and crafts, and read. Her favorite way to spend her time was sharing God’s Word with those around her. She loved to talk to anyone, but her favorite people were the deaf. Ursala’s smile could light up a room. She lived her life to the fullest, served others with joy, loved deeply, and will be missed.

Ursala is predeceased by her parents, John and Ursala Grapa, her sister, Judy Wright, her son-in-law, Ants Palm-Leis. She is survived by her husband, Frank; daughters, Dawn Palm-Leis (Eugene Reckard), and Nicole Kaminski; her grandchildren, Katlin and Kristjan Palm-Leis, Caleb (Doris) Kaminski, Erica and Luke Kaminski; her brothers, Eugene (Terrie) Grapa, John

Grapa Jr., Ben (Connie) Grapa, and Tony (Dorrie) Grapa; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Holmen Baptist Church, W7656 McHugh Ct. W., Holmen, Wisconsin. Pastor Ben Vahle will officiate. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

There will be a small luncheon following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to LifeSigns Deaf Baptist Church, 6484 New Albany Condit Rd, New Albany, OH 43054, a ministry that Ursala loved and supported.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com