Lois Nell Hunsaker Rasmussen

RUPERT – Lois Nell Hunsaker Rasmussen, a 97-year-old resident of Rupert, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Parke View Rehabilitation & Care Center in Burley, after recently being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

She was born December 1, 1927, in Murray, Utah, the first child born to Alfred Hunsaker (Hunziker) and Nellie Florence King. Lois continued to live in Murray for two years until she, her parents, and her sister, Shirley, moved to Ucon, Idaho. They lived in Ucon for about one year then moved to Heyburn, Idaho, where she lived throughout her childhood. Lois started school when she was almost seven years old. This was during the Great Depression and she remembers she had a dress for school that she got from the WPA (Works Projects Administration).

Growing up, Lois not only worked in the house, but also in the field. She thinned, hoed and topped beets. They would then load them on the wagon and her dad would take them to the beet dump with his team of horses. She also helped stack hay by using a Jackson fork. Lois attended Heyburn Elementary School and completed her education at Heyburn High School (1946).

She married Blaine J. Rasmussen on January 1, 1946, in the American Legion Hall in Rupert. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple on September 20, 1946.

Blaine and Lois are the parents of five children, Michael Blaine Rasmussen (Cosette) of Nampa, Bonnie Kay Jensen (James) of Preston, Kelly J. Rasmussen - deceased (Shirley), Janie Payne (Vearle) of Safford, Arizona, and Jeffrey H. Rasmussen (Amy) of Burley; 27 grandchildren; 76 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren (with three more arriving this year).

Lois lived a fulfilling life and was an excellent cook and enjoyed making delicious and nutritious meals for her family and anyone who would drop by. She was still preparing healthy meals for herself prior to her recent illness. This year, for the annual Hunsaker family Christmas party, she made over 100 Fasnachtsuküchle, a rich bubbly fried and crispy dough dusted with sugar; the family devoured the Swiss delight. Lois was an outstanding seamstress and loved quilting, making quilts for all of her children and grandchildren, including baby quilts for each of her grandchildren. Additionally, she was a beautiful oil painter and created beautiful landscape and still-life paintings that adorn many homes.

She loved her yard and worked hard to keep it beautiful. She also planted and harvested a garden every year; she hated to waste any produce from the garden.

Lois worked at the beet dump during the harvest, weighing in the trucks. After Dad had his heart attack and was unable to work for some time, she worked at JCPenney as the office cashier. In her later years she enjoyed working as the office manager for her son, Jeff Rasmussen, at Rasmussen Funeral Home where she loved meeting people and enjoyed being with Jeff and his family on a daily basis.

Lois had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, and enjoyed sharing her testimony with others, the last being just a week before she became ill. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in various callings throughout her life including Relief Society president, counselor in the Young Women, and served as a ward and stake music director for many years. Her love of music was instilled in her children and grandchildren. She had a beautiful soprano singing voice and was called upon often to sing at funerals, weddings, and other church events. She and her sister, Shirley Paoli, usually sang together at these events.

Lois was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to all and was always there when we needed her the most, offering support, wisdom and love in abundance.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Lois is survived by three sisters, Shirley Paoli (Richard-deceased) and Carole Jensen (C. Roy-deceased) of Rupert, and Beth Loosli (Dennis) of Boise; a sister-in-law, Suzanne Hunsaker of West Jordan, Utah; a brother-in-law, Lewis Abrams of Boise; and Kelly’s first wife, Marla Rasmussen of Twin Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Kelly J. Rasmussen; one grandson, Michael Teague Rasmussen; a great-grandson, Keaton Vaughn Tracy; brothers, Ross Hunsaker (Doris) and Dale Hunsaker; and sisters, Velda Barras (Fred) and Nelma Abrams.

Our family expresses sincere appreciation to the following: her physician, Dr. Brian Muir; Intermountain Homecare & Hospice - Dr. Benjamin Romney, Tawny Pirtle, Kay Martens, and her dedicated nurse, Kathy McEwen (whom mother trusted greatly); Cassia Regional Hospital for her end-of-life care; and to Parke View Rehabilitation and Care Center for allowing us to have mother in their facility until her passing. The care we received from all of the above was beyond expectation.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 17, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Rupert Idaho West Stake Center, located at 26 S. 100 W., in Rupert. Burial will follow at Rupert Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, January 16, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, at the church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/R1LUouAfRNg.