Arthur Rasch, 85, Minot, formerly of the Halliday area, died Saturday, July 4, 2009 in a Minot Hospital.

Arthur was born February 25, 1924 at Halliday, North Dakota, the son of Christian and Lydia (Kruckenberg) Rasch. He was raised on the family ranch six miles north and two miles west of Halliday, and attended school at Pioneer #1, one mile from home. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church and worked on the ranch as a young man until he entered the US army, February 25, 1945, at Jefferson Barracks, MO. After training in Arkansas and passage to Japan via troop carrier, he was assigned the duty of transporting prisoners to trials in Tokyo. He served ten months in Tokyo and was honorably discharged from the Army December 6th, 1946.

On August 13, 1950, he and Mildred Wagar were married in a country church north of Granville, ND. Art took a job as a ND state brand inspector assigned to stock yards in Fargo, Grand Forks, Sioux City, IA and finally in 1959, Minot ND. Art and Mildred raised three children in Minot, while he continued, until 1966, as a brand inspector. He then began employment with the US Postal Service, working as a distribution clerk until 1988, when he retired.

Art was baptized in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints (Community of Christ) on March 28, 1953 in Fargo, ND. Some years later, he was ordained into the RLDS priesthood. He and Mildred gave much of their time for many years as Sunday School teachers and building committee members. Art especially enjoyed keeping up the church grounds.

His life centered around his family. His lifelong passion for music included playing guitar, piano, and pump organ. He passed that love of music to his children and supported their musical training. He also enjoyed reading, and retained a love for learning and the natural world throughout his life.

He was a member of the Minot American Legion and attended concerts of the Minot Symphony Orchestra for over forty years. He was also a regular contributor to various religious, educational and charity organizations.

His loving family includes: children, Douglas (Kathy) Rasch, Clearbrook, MN, Justin (Beth) Rasch, Minot, Donyta (Mike Barker) Rasch, Vancouver, B.C. Canada; Grandchildren: Adam, Emily, Amanda (Matt Wald), Kristen and Bryan; Great-Grandchildren: Grayden and Griffin; brothers, Walter Rasch, Prescott Valley, AZ and Richard Rasch, Halliday, ND, sister, Agatha Schossow, Casper, Wyo.; a number of nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mildred, sisters, Hilda Rasch, Erna Knutson, and Edna Transtrom and brothers, George, Roland, Otto, Herbert and Albert.

Funeral service: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota;
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot;
Visitation: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 from 2:00-7:00pm in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.