Dale W Rasmussen

RUPERT – Dale W Rasmussen, an 84-year-old resident of Rupert, passed away Friday, May 15, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.

Dale was born February 28, 1936, at his grandmother’s home west of Burley, the son of Harold Ole Rasmussen and Emily Pearl Okelberry Rasmussen. He was preceded in birth by an older brother, Wade Odis, who passed away as an infant. He was followed by a sister, Karen Emily, and brothers, Mack D and Rocky Ray Rasmussen.

Dale enjoyed the fellowship of cousins, Delbert, Lloyd (Schooney), and Jay. He graduated from high school in 1955. Dale joined the U.S. Army Reserve after high school and later enlisted into active service where he served in Korea during post-Korean-War efforts.

Dale was ordained an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and following his military service, he felt the desire to serve a mission for the Church. He was called to serve in the Northern Far East Mission. He was originally assigned to go to Japan but circumstances allowed him to return to Korea to teach the gospel.

When he returned home from his mission he met a young lady named Ellen Butler from Jerome. They were married July 21, 1961, in the Idaho Falls Temple. On that same day, Dale and his siblings were sealed to their parents. Dale and Ellen were blessed with three children: Thomas Ray, Boyd Butler (who passed away as an infant), and their daughter, Karla Leone, who were all such a joy to him.

Dale attended school at CSI to become a welder. For a time they lived in Seattle where he worked. After a year or so they moved back to Idaho where he began working at the Amalgamated Sugar Company in Paul, Idaho. He was also an avid builder and built more than one home, having built his permanent home in Rupert, starting in about 1981.

Sadly, Dale and Ellen were divorced in 1983. But, he met and married Karen Leigh Hayes Perkins in 1984. With this marriage came five more children: Eric V., Jean Leigh, Gayle, Cathy, and Keith I. Perkins. Dale and Karen were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on November 15, 1990.

Dale was diagnosed with kidney disease in May of 2019, and underwent dialysis for eleven months. In his final days, a large tumor was discovered four days prior to his passing.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; sons, Thomas, Eric, and Keith; and daughters, Karla, Jean, Gayle, and Cathy; 31 grandchildren; and 39 great-grandchildren, with one more due in July.

A viewing will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley. Social distancing compliance will be adhered to at the direction of the funeral home staff.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, also at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home. Attendance will be in full compliance with the State of Idaho regulations for social distancing to help control the spread of the Coronavirus. Attendance is restricted to 50 people and is by invitation only. Burial will follow at Gem Memorial Gardens.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available at the following link: https://youtu.be/vy5BTgONZUM.