Blaine J Rasmussen

RUPERT – Blaine J. Rasmussen of Rupert, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2012, one month shy of his 87th birthday.

Blaine was born April 12, 1925, in Malta, Idaho, the son of Knud Julius “Cude” and Eleanor Lloyd Rasmussen. Dad graduated from the eighth grade in Malta. The family then moved to the Jackson District of Rupert, where his father worked as the ditch rider for the Minidoka Irrigation District. Dad attended and graduated from Acequia High School in 1943.

In 1944, he met the love of his life, Lois Nell Hunsaker, at the Y-Dell – a popular dance hall in Burley. After nearly two years of dancing together, Mom and Dad married on Jan. 1, 1946, in Rupert. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on Sept. 20, 1946. They enjoyed 66 years together, complimenting each other in all their endeavors. You never saw Dad without Mom. They were truly best friends!

He was an active member of the LDS Church and had served as Sunday school president, Elders Quorum president, MIA president, and was a faithful home teacher. One of the choicest callings Dad and Mom had was serving at Countryside Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rupert as the Sunday service coordinators.

Dad worked for Jones & Bell Farms for more than 31 years as their field manager. He loved and took great pride in planting and harvesting potatoes, grain, and sugar beets. After retiring from Jones & Bell, Dad “chased” parts for Mainline Ranch – working for his brother-in-law, Ross Hunsaker.

Dad was a people person and could strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone he met. He served as president of the Snake River Flats Barbershop Chorus, and was a recipient of “Barbershopper of the Year” award. He enjoyed fishing at Fish Creek and Warm Springs, and he and Mom also loved camping and hunting. However, Dad’s greatest joy was his family. He was proud of and loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and made each feel special.

He is survived by his wife, Lois H. Rasmussen of Rupert; his children, Michael (Cosette) Rasmussen of Nampa, Bonnie (James) Jensen of Preston, Janie (Vearle) Payne of Safford, Arizona, and Jeffrey (Amy) Rasmussen of Burley; daughter-in-law, Shirley Rasmussen of Orem; former daughter-in-law, Marla Jo Rasmussen of Twin Falls; 27 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Roberta (Ernest) VanEvery of Rupert.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kelly J. Rasmussen; a grandson, Michael Teague Rasmussen; three brothers, Melvin Lamar “Moon” Rasmussen, Lloyd “Schooney” Rasmussen, and Robert Rasmussen; and his sister, Carole Elvira Rogers.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Dr. Kevin Owens, Dr. Jeff Swenson, and the staff at Countryside Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rupert for the outstanding and compassionate care given to our father. We could not have been more pleased.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Rupert LDS West Stake Center, 26 S. 100 W., of Rupert, with Bishop Brad Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at the Rupert Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, March 16, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday at the church.