Peggy Lea (Goin) Rasmussen

Peggy Lea (Goin) Rasmussen

March 31, 1952 - Sept. 17, 2024

LINCOLN, Neb. - Peggy Lea (Goin) Rasmussen of Lincoln passed away on Sept. 17, 2024 after a long struggle due to West Nile.

Peggy was the third of four children and was born March 31, 1952, to Francis and Wilma Goin of Barneston, Neb. Peggy married the love of her life, Mike Rasmussen on June 23, 1973, after graduating from Bryan School of Nursing two weeks prior. Her nursing career spanned 47 years and was cut short by the Covid epidemic.

It wasn’t long into her career that it became apparent that Peggy was a problem solver and a people person. From York to McCook to Metro Omaha and Lincoln she touched many lives because of those traits. No matter the situation she reflected grace and compassion that became a calming factor to those in need. Her final 19 years were spent at Lincoln Surgery Hospital in a position where she hit the ground running in the morning and didn’t sit down until she went home at night. She would bypass the elevator throughout the day so she could get her daily steps running up and down the stairs. It was a humbling experience when on several occasions she was recognized by her peers for being an exceptional nurse.

May 5, 2020 was retirement day from her nursing career. In later years she was delighted to participate in the Nurse Honor Guard enabling her to honor her nursing peers in a moving tribute. She also credits the book clubs she became a part of in expanding her perspective and insight on topics she normally would not have been involved in. Besides she could always challenge Mike, with “did you know!” Most likely it was reading a book on her deck that she sustained the bite that led to the long struggle with West Nile.

Besides fulfilling a successful nursing career, she was equally a wonderful mother to her sons, Kirk and Marc. She and Mike enjoyed many trips to support the boys in their sporting events, vacations together, helping with school projects and the joy of being proud parents. The two boys were fortunate to marry two wonderful daughters-in- law and provided Peggy and Mike four wonderful grandchildren.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Wilma Goin. She is survived by her husband Mike, sons Kirk (Katie) of Centennial Colo., Marc (Janet) of Cambridge, Neb., sisters Mary Ward of Brisbane, Australia, Jane Goin of Morrison, Colo., brother Lance (Cheryl) Goin of Birmingham, Mich., Grandchildren Emma and Jake Rasmussen of Cambridge and Will and Abby Rasmussen of Centennial, Colo.

Peggy requested to be cremated. A celebration of life will be held at St. Mark’s Methodist Church on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial money will be split between the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard and the National Park Foundation.