Dorothy M. Rasmussen, age 98, a resident of Chicago since the mid-1950s, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Chicago.

Beloved daughter of the late William C. and Emma L., née Duesterhoeft, Rasmussen, she was born January 27, 1925, in Boon Lake Twp., Renville County, MN.

Dorothy grew up on a farm outside Hutchinson, MN, the only girl in a family of four boys, attended a one-room school, voraciously read used books her father collected for her at every opportunity, and generally avoided cooking throughout her life. Her educational journey took her through her undergraduate degree at Gustavus Adolphus University and graduate school in Library Sciences at the University of Minnesota. She worked as a Reference Librarian at Gustavus Adolphus University in St. Peter, MN, prior to moving to Chicago to accept a librarian position at the Skokie Public Library, located at the time in its original store-front location on Oakton Street. As the Head of Adult Services and Assistant Director, Dorothy served Skokie and area residents for 30-plus years until her retirement in 1987, leaving behind a career of excellent reference work, development of the preeminent materials collection of the Skokie Public Library, Lifetime member of the American Library Association, membership on the American Library Association’s Notable Books Committee for several years, and attentive mentorship of her Adult Services staff over those many years.

Dorothy’s life outside the Skokie Public Library revolved around collecting and reselling used books, excursions with friends, family visits to Minnesota, her church, Immanuel Lutheran Church on Elmdale in Chicago, and, of course, in her pure joy in reading mysteries, Trollope and other literary giants. Never afraid of traveling new roads, in retirement, at age 79, she decided to move her book resale efforts to Amazon in keeping with the move of such commercial efforts away from print publications. Armed with her new iMac computer, acquiring new skills, she bravely launched herself onto the used book market on the Internet.

Dear sister of Donald (Irene), Lowell (Mary), and the late Orville (Doryce) and Wilbur (Sharon) Rasmussen; loving aunt of a multitude of nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

In the words of her niece, Dr. Sonja Rasmussen, “Dorothy had a great life – a job that she loved and friends and family who loved her dearly. She will be missed.”

Urn Interment, Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 1 p.m., at Oakland Cemetery, 805 Oakland Av. SE, Hutchinson, MN, 55350.

Memorial Service, Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Elmdale Av., Chicago. Refreshments will be served in the church social hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Elmdale Av., Chicago, IL, 60660 (immanuellutheranchicago.org) or Gustavus Adolphus University, Attn: Advancement Office, 800 W. College Av., Saint Peter, MN, 56082 (gustavus.edu/giving).

Funeral info:  847.673.6111 or habenfuneral.com to sign guestbook and to leave a condolence message.

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