January 27, 1941 - March 31, 2025

Knud Rasmussen, 84, of Gillies Bay, BC, died peacefully at home on March 31, 2025.

Knud was born on the coldest night of the year in Lyngby, Denmark, on January 27, 1941, to Else and Henrik Eduard Rasmussen. He was named after the famed Danish Arctic explorer and ethnologist. Knud wanted to be a farmer and in 1959, at the age of 18, Knud immigrated to Canada to work on a farm in Alberta. On the crossing, he met fellow Dane and market gardener, Martin Bode, who instead encouraged Knud to come north to Yellowknife. Upon his arrival, he worked at the Giant and Tundra gold mines, participated on the Giant Mine Rescue Team and First Aid, and he won the Caribou Carnival Strong Man Competition by carrying 1000 lbs of flour over 50 feet in 1969. In 1970, Knud started Knud Rasmussen Drilling and Blasting Ltd. through which he safely did most of the blasting work in downtown Yellowknife in the 70's and 80's (including the vault at the CIBC bank!) without a single insurance claim. He also collared the Robertson and Lupin mineshafts, drilled and blasted at several minesites, prospected and mined his own small high-grade gold properties, and operated/built several rock quarries. Later, he joined the diamond rush, including putting in a winter road and blasting the first bulk sample at Snap Lake.

In 1963, Knud married Rita Marie Daniels, the mother of his three eldest children, who predeceased him on April 14, 1971. In 1980, Knud married Roxanna Lea Ralston, the mother of his two youngest children. After 45 years of working in the north, Knud gradually retired to Texada Island off the coast of BC with Roxanna. Knud loved flying and throughout retirement he flew his ultra-light airplanes out of the Texada Airport. He also volunteered for the Royal Canadian Legion, the annual Texada Aerospace Camp, and the Texada Health Centre. In 2013, Knud was made an Honorary Member of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines. The day before he died, Knud flew over Texada Island one last time. He felt he had lived a long and full life, and he was ready to leave on his own terms. Knud will be remembered by those who knew him for his integrity and hard work. He was highly respected in Yellowknife and on Texada Island.

Knud will be lovingly missed by his wife, Roxanna; five children: Blake, Melody, Joy, Kirsten (Lawrence), and Will (Elizabeth); six grandchildren: Casey, Dawnelle, Delaney, Ben, Courtney, and Bethany; and, three great-grandchildren: Henry, Lila, and Scarlet. Knud was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Fritz; and, Rita. He was cremated at Stubberfield Funeral Home in Powell River, BC. A memorial will be held at the Texada United Church at 1pm, followed by a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion on Jun 7, 2025. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.