Lorna March

Born on Feb. 19, 1961, in Jetmore, Kan., Lorna brought warmth, harmony, and a vibrant spirit to everyone who knew her. Raised on the Kansas plains, Lorna spent her youth helping with her family’s dairy farm and flying service, thus fostering a lifelong love for animals and the outdoors. She was heavily involved in her local 4-H chapter and spent some of her happiest early years riding and caring for her beloved horse, Pistol. She graduated salutatorian of Jetmore High School in 1979, noting in her speech, “with courage and enthusiasm we can overcome anything.”

A gifted musician from a young age, Lorna joined her parents and siblings in presenting “The Rasmussen Family Show,” a musical variety show in Ouray, Colo. After graduating high school, Lorna joined the traveling performance group Up with People. For two seasons, she toured across the United States and Europe, playing the trumpet, singing vocals and spreading positivity across borders.

It was during her time in Up with People that Lorna met the love of her life, Michael March. The two were married on July 2, 1983, amid the beautiful mountains of Montrose, Colo. Shortly after their wedding, the newlyweds moved to Princeton, N.J., embarking on a new chapter where Michael attended seminary and Lorna completed her undergraduate studies in vocal performance at Westminster Choir College, further nurturing her lifelong passion for music.

Lorna’s passion for both horses and music remained a constant thread through her adult life. She loved sitting at the piano or picking up her guitar to fill her home with music. She taught her four children the joy of music, from voice to piano to guitar, while also instructing scores of other children and adults. As a committed, lifelong equestrian, she owned a cherished horse named Scout, and the competitive spirit of her youth shone brightly in the many barrel races won at the Dickinson County Fair over the years.

Lorna was a strong, deeply faith-oriented woman who loved Christ and dedicated the vast majority of her adult life to serving God through music and children’s education. For over 20 years at First Presbyterian Church, she spearheaded the Vacation Bible School programs, led the weekly Kids Club ministries, and directed the annual Christmas and Easter pageants.

Bringing music and the love of God to hundreds of children was the bedrock of her ministry, and her joyful leadership left an indelible mark on countless young hearts and families.

Above all, Lorna was a devoted wife, a deeply loving mother, energetic grandmother, and friend to many. Her life was a beautiful song defined by faith, family, and service, and her legacy lives on through the family she adored and the community she served so faithfully.She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 43 years, Michael James March; her four children, Libby March, Catherine Nagowski and her husband Matthew, Joshua March, and Lauren Bosserman and her husband Dylan; and two granddaughters, Zophia and Mariana March Nagowski.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Keith and Marcheta Rasmussen. Lorna is also survived by her five siblings and their families, Ric (Karen) Rasmussen, Rod (Karen) Rasmussen, Greg (Lynette) Rasmussen, Galen (Bonnie) Rasmussen, and Lisa (Ken) Lowry; along with many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Lorna’s spirit will also live on in her wide community of loving friends and church family in the Upper Peninsula and beyond.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Kingsford, 395 Hamilton Ave., Kingsford.

The funeral service celebrating Lorna’s life will immediately follow the visitation at 11 a.m. at the church. A picnic luncheon in the church pavilion will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lorna’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Lorna March online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.