Duane Lee Rasmussen

BURLEY - Duane Lee Rasmussen, our amazing husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor would like to let you know that his work and suffering are done. He received a call that he could not refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus; a reunion with family and friends he has not seen in a long time. His new mission takes him to a wonderful place where he will be socializing, hunting and watching football to his heart’s content. The food is delicious and he can eat all he wants. He left detailed instructions for his wife and children to celebrate his mission here, which has now been completed.

“Rass” passed away Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, at home with his loving family around him. He was born on March 11, 1942, in Twin Falls, Idaho, the firstborn son of Donald W. and Zeora “Mike” Rasmussen. He attended schools in Twin Falls, where he excelled in sports and formed lifelong friendships with his teammates. Duane then went on to college at Boise Jr. College.

Out of college, Duane married Janet Goold, with whom he had two children. In 1977, he married Monica Hymas and gained two more children.

When he was 15 years old, Duane started working after school for Don Jensen of Jensen Jewelers in their first Twin Falls store, doing odd jobs. He also worked for the US Forest Service during the summers and did any other odd jobs he could fit in-between. Duane’s career with Jensens lasted 50 years and formed bonds with all who worked with him. He was the driving force behind Jensen Jeweler’s elk ivory line of jewelry and sold it at hunting shows all over the country, loving every minute of it for over 20 years.

Because Duane was such a sportsman, he was instrumental in organizing the Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Safari Club International banquets. He was on the Burley Boat Regatta committee and a Burley Area Merchants Association member.

We have to say that Rass’s first love was hunting. If he wasn’t on his Cushman motor scooter delivering papers as a kid, he was riding it out to Mary Alice Lake with his shotgun across the handlebars, going duck hunting. This passion increased over the years, taking him hunting all over the world.

Anyone who knew this great man knew about his passion for life. He truly loved life, his family and was the greatest friend a man could ever have.

He is preceded in death by his father, Donald W. Rasmussen; and a daughter, Shari Rasmussen. He is survived by his mother, “Mike;” his wife, Monica; and his brother, Gary (Stacey) Rasmussen. He is also survived by his children, Brent, Dawn, Greg and Randy; and grandchildren, Kaden Spencer and Jessica Vorwaller.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

Our family would like to thank the wonderful caring staff at the Mountain States Tumor Institute in Twin Falls.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26, at the Best Western Burley Inn, 800 N Overland Ave., in Burley.

Cremation and arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.