Robert Rasmussen

BURLEY – Robert Rasmussen, age 89, passed away at his home in Burley, on Wednesday, July 25, 2012.

He was born on Jan. 2, 1923, in Elba, Idaho, the son of Jens Edward and Sarah Jane Darrington Rasmussen. He attended school in Elba and graduated from Raft River High School in Malta. He was a proud veteran of World War II having served in the United States Army in the 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific Theater. He married Lethe M. Bortz on Nov. 10, 1946, in Burley, Idaho. To this union three children were born, James Robert, Raleigh Carl, and Patricia. Lethe passed away in 1997. He then married June D. Paskett on Nov. 23, 1999, also in Burley.

Robert did carpentry work and farmed in the Springdale district of Burley. He enjoyed snow skiing and wood working. He did volunteer work at the Golden Heritage Senior Center and the Deseret Industries. He was a member of the LDS Church and had served as a Sunday school teacher, Primary teacher and home teacher.

He is survived by his wife, June Rasmussen of Burley; his children, James Robert (Mary Jo) Rasmussen of Falls Church, Virginia, Raleigh Carl Rasmussen of Seattle, Washington, and Patricia (Glenn) Mahrt of Boise; four grandchildren; his stepchildren, Bruce (Dorene) Hutchinson of Boise, Gale Hutchinson of Burley, Gordon (Carol) Hutchinson and Ted (Shelley) Hutchinson all of Boise, and Kelly (Cindy) Hutchinson of Alpine, Utah; 17 step-grandchildren; and 16 step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his first wife, Lethe, he was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Joel, Floyd, Ralph and Elmo Rasmussen; and his twin sister, Roberta Jones.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where friends and family may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, July 27, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday prior to the funeral. Burial will follow at the Declo Cemetery with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

The family suggests memorials be directed to the Burley Music Club or the Golden Heritage Senior Center in care of Rasmussen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 878, Burley, ID 83318.