Walter Rasmussen was an innovative farmer who knew the value of building community and cherishing his ever-growing family. The youngest of 10 children, at 8 he became one of the "men of the house" when his father died. By the time he was 20, his mother had passed away. Perhaps this knowledge of loss led Walter to cleave so strongly to his descendents.
Because of the demands of farm life, Walter's formal education ended when he was 12. But his appetite for learning never diminished. Over his lifetime, he progressed from farming with horses to using GPS-driven computerized equipment. In 2003, the farm that was started by his Norwegian parents, Jacob and Sofia, was designated a Centennial Farm by the Manitoba Historical Society.
Walter said he thought it was much harder to be a farmer now. "In the old days," he said, "you could only work as long as the horses could. You couldn't put in 16-hour days. I think the horses were smarter than us." After the horses were stabled, he and other men from the community would gather to play ball until darkness fell. Walter's ability as a catcher was legendary: From a crouched position, he could throw out a runner at second base nine times out of 10.
Although he loved farming, Walter valued his family and community even more. He and his beloved wife, Ruth, had four children - Ronnie, Janice, David and Darlene - 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Like his father, he served as a council member for the rural municipality of Cartier.
When Walter was an octogenarian, Ruth developed Alzheimer's disease and was moved to an extended-care home. Walter taught himself how to cook and how to bake Ruth's favourite cookies - oatmeal raisin. When one of his grandchildren complimented him on his newfound culinary skills, Walter said: "It's actually not that hard. All you have to do is follow the recipe."
Shortly after Ruth died in 2001, Walter once again baked cookies, this time for her caregivers at the extended-care facility that would eventually become his final home.
Walter's quick wit made everyone laugh. Once, when his granddaughter was leaving to work abroad for a year, she said, "See you next year, Grandpa." Walter replied, "I don't know, Leanne. I don't even buy green bananas any more."
Walter's death did not parallel his dignified life. In retrospect, however, perhaps he hung on to give his family an opportunity to say goodbye and to realize that there are fates worse than death.
Leanne Shirtliffe is Walter's granddaughter.
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