Roger W. Rasmussen

Farmington, New Mexico/Salina, Utah - Roger William Rasmussen, age 83, of Farmington, New Mexico, passed away April 29, 2014 in Farmington. He was born May 8, 1930 in Centerfield, Utah, a son of William L. and Minnie Ann "Dolly" Carson Rasmussen. Roger married his high school sweetheart, Colleen Mickelsen in 1947. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. Roger spent two years in the U.S. Army. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to Salina, to work as a mechanic in a coal mine. In 1951, he was buried in a mine cave in and after recovering from his life threatening injuries, he decided that that was not the career he wanted. He then worked as an automobile mechanic for a number of years. Watchmaking was something that was in his blood generations back to his ancestors that were clockmakers in Denmark, and he had always had an interest in it. He decided to make that his career. In the 60's, he worked for several prominent jewelry stores in Utah, culminating with 5 years at Bullock and Losee Jewelers in Provo, Utah, as their shop foreman and primary jeweler. During this time, he completed a course of education at the Rolex School of Watchmaking in New York City, and many jewelry designing courses, as well. In 1972, he purchased Alexander's Fine Jewelry in Laramie, Wyoming. He went on to open jewelry stores in Greeley, Colorado; Salina, Utah; Gallup, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; and Farmington, New Mexico. The Laramie and Farmington stores remain in the family to this day. Roger retired in 1994, but continued to do all of the watch and clock repair for Alexander's Fine Jewelry in Farmington, until he was 80. Roger is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Colleen; and their children who thought he was the greatest Dad in the whole world: Linda and Paul Meredith of Payson, Utah; Jim and Barb Rasmussen of Laramie, Wyoming; Jill and Michael Davis, Dave and Jan Rasmussen, all of Farmington, New Mexico; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren, one of which is currently serving an LDS Mission in the California Long Beach Mission; and a sister, Nina Fay of California. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; a granddaughter and her husband, Lexi and Trent Pabst; and a grandson, Jim Hall. The family would like to express their appreciation to LifeCare and Beehive Home #4 for their exceptional care of Roger. Grave side services will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 1:00P.M. in the Salina Pioneer Cemetery. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 150 East Main Street in Salina, Tuesday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Salina American Legion Post #36 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. On line guest book at: www.springerturner.com