Maurice F. Rasmussen

Salina, Utah - Maurice Farrell Rasmussen, a loving and stalwart man from Salina, Utah, quietly slipped from this sphere of loved-ones to join those of another on Thursday, October 10, 2013 in Gunnison, Utah. Maurice was born in the family home in Salina, Utah, June 9, 1914, a son of Ira Alvin Rasmussen and Dagmar (Dey) Larsen Rasmussen. He married his childhood sweetheart, Therresa Colby, November 23, 1933 in Richfield, Utah and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti LDS Temple March 1, 1940. Their marriage spanned 73 years. Five children were born to this union. Therresa passed away October 19, 2006. Maurice’s life covered nearly 100 years. He experienced the simple country life of the early 20th century and embraced the information explosion of the present. In his younger days, Maurice learned the value of work on the family farm raising crops, especially sugar beets, and farm animals. Maurice was a master storyteller and historian. When he was 5 or 6 years old Maurice rode from Salina to Salt Lake City in an auto/powered buggy (car), mail ordered from Sears and Roebuck and built by his Grandpa Larsen. He developed a serious infection in his mastoid when 7 years old and was taken by train with his father to the old LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. Faith and prayers helped save his life. Maurice graduated from North Sevier High School Class of 1932. He attended Brigham Young University where he played football. He remained an avid BYU Sports and Jazz fan. As a young man, Maurice raised and trained a team of horses and worked his team for .90 cents per day per head at Fishake, hauling water and hay for a dairy. He married his childhood sweetheart and began developing a trade in heavy equipment operation; he started his own company, Maurice Rasmussen Construction, and worked until he was 89 years old, only stopping to care for his love, Theressa. He built, graded and maintained countless roads, leveled acres of land and built numerous cement ditches. The last “piece of equipment” he loved and could operate was his classic rider lawnmower. His life was a Life of service and generosity. His children remember people coming to the door in need of food and encouragement. His children were sent to the basement with a box to fill with food and then a toy was added for the children. Fond memories include celebrating Maurice’s and Theressa’s birthdays with the entire family on the 4th of July at their home, as well as the colorful Christmas and Halloween decorations and parties. Maurice loved the Savior and Our Father in Heaven; he served as an LDS Bishop for two terms, as a High Councilor, as the Salina Utah Stake Patriarch for 28 years. Many remember receiving patriarchal blessings in his peaceful home where Therresa’s organ music greeted them and set a spiritual tone. He was an example of kindness and pure love. Maurice was a perpetual optimist. He loved this beautiful world especially the mountains and spending time with his wife and family at the cabin at Accord Lake. He shared many fun deer and elk hunting escapades; he killed a bull elk while hunting with grandsons when 93 years old. Maurice is survived by his five children and their spouses, Rodney and Eunice Rasmussen, Janet and Neil Beach, all of Salina, Evelyn and Jerold Shields, Kathern and Lyle Taylor, all of Sandy; Brad and Kathy Rasmussen of Hurricane. His vast adoring posterity comprises 26 grandchildren, 103 great-grandchildren, and 67 great-great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Virginia Dickert of Salina, Shirley Probert of Scipio, Donna (Paul) Martin of Las Vegas, NV; sisters-in-law include Shirley (Ray) Rasmussen of Ft. Collins, CO and Vonda Colby, Salina; brother-in-law Darwin Colby, CA; and many nieces and nephews complete the family circle. Maurice is preceded in death by his loving wife, parents, a sister Bernice (Fred) Mickelson, brothers Leath (LaFay) and Ray Rasmussen. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Maurice’s caregivers, especially the loving care and kindness of Sheila Sorensen, and to the Gunnison Valley Hospital personnel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 19,. 2013 at 12 Noon in the Salina 2nd LDS Ward Chapel, 85 South 100 East in Salina, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.