Obituary of Stig Toft Rasmussen

Stig Toft Rasmussen passed from this life at 3:34 PM, on Tuesday, February 26, 2018. He died peacefully with his son by his side. Stig was born on October 6, 1949, in Odense, Denmark to Knud Rasmussen and Inger Christiansen. He immigrated to New York state with his parents in his early teens, where the family worked in the equestrian business. Stig went into the family's line of work, training hunter-jumpers and later thoroughbred racehorses across the US. He met his first wife, Barbara, while training racehorse, and together they raised a son, Toft, predominately in South Carolina. He relocated to Louisiana in the late 1990s, where he met his second wife, Hilda, and planned to spend his retirement from the racetrack breeding horses. After some health issues, he returned to South Carolina to be near his son. Stig was quick with a kind word and loved to make people laugh. He was known for taking joy in brightening the day of everyone he came in contact with, from friends and family to store clerks and waiters. Stig loved the outdoors, and was often accompanied by a favorite dog. Over the years these included, Rosie, Polo, and Buddy. He had a hearty work ethic and was always quick to pitch in and lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He instilled these qualities in his son. Stig was dearly loved by his friends and family. He is predeceased by his father, Knud, and mother, Inger. He is survived by his son, Toft (Caitlin); step-daughter, Catherine (Troy); brother Allan (Christine); brother Mogens (Nina); sister Anne (Mike); niece, Samantha, and nephew, Maxwell; grandchildren Wyatt, Mackenzie, and Poppy (expected April 2018); extended families, the Welles, Lanauxs, and Hanzlicks; and countless friends. There will be a private gathering of family and close friends in his memory. Condolences can be posted on the Tribute Wall of this page.