Russell Rasmussen

Russell M Rasmussen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend, passed away on March 24, 2015 after years of battling the physical challenges of mortality. He was as sweet and loving in pain as he was throughout his life. He will be dearly missed.
Russ was born in Brigham City, Utah on November 19, 1930 in his family home to goodly parents Stella and Rudy. He grew up there with his idolized older brother, JR, and his treasured little sisters Barbara and Deon. He truly appreciated the blessings of his family. He was lucky enough to grow up near and be an integral part of an extended family – including cousins, aunts, uncles and grandfathers. Watching him interact with that extended family through his life was a tremendous lesson to his own family.
Russ graduated from Box Elder High School where he formed many lifelong friendships. He played on several sports teams – preparing him for years of coaching as an adult. He was happy to be able to attend a 65 year reunion last fall – and reaffirmed many of those old bonds.
Russ attended and earned an Associate degree from Weber State College – the first member in his family to get a degree after high school. While attending there, he was fortunate enough to be a fellow student of a coed with a familiar last name. Her name was Anne (with an ‘e’). No relation, but they had a common bond. They dated until the time came where he was called into the service of the United States of America – serving in the US Army in Korea.
That period of time was significant for him in that he made several lifetime commitments and decisions while serving as a soldier. One major one was that he wanted to come home and marry the girl to whom he was writing very deep moving letters. It was the decision of a lifetime and continues into eternity.
Russ and Anne were married in the Logan Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on March 12, 1954. Through their time together, it was clear that Dad felt that that experience was the most important day and commitment of his life.
He attended the University of Utah on the GI bill, getting a degree in Geology. It was a career choice that brought about a significant number of family moves and relocations.
In the midst of schooling, career choices and moving throughout the West, Russ and Anne started a family. Kirsten and Peter were born while the family lived in Stadium Village at the “U”. Kurt came two years later and lived in 5 states before reaching the age of one. About that time, Russ’ parents told him of a major company that was starting up in the desert west of Brigham City. They were going to make rockets. It was a match made in – well in the heavens. Russ was hired on and moved the family to their first house - in Perry, Utah.
The family continued to grow there until Eric, Maren and Chris were all included. There is not room in an obituary to recount the fond memories that his children have of their lives growing up in Perry in a home with such a wonderful father. He was always part of their lives – whether coaching or watching their plays and recitals.
His career progressed at Thiokol Corporation – even through some very hard times in the 1960s. One of the challenges that Russ had to face was that he was performing engineering work without an engineering degree. It necessitated a return to school. Russ chose to attend Utah State University where in June 1974, he received a Master’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering.

After that, his career took a jump - to the point that in August 1974, he was assigned to be the liaison for the Wasatch Division of Thiokol Corporation with the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. It required moving a family, but it proved to be a highlight experience in his career. He grew to love so many things in Huntsville that when he was told to transfer back to Utah, it was not a simple choice. He had grown to love the South.
But eventually, returning to Utah and living near loved ones, especially parents, won out. Because several of their children were college-age, Russ decided that he would willingly add an extra 30 minutes each way to his commute time in order to have a house near Utah State University. It was a choice that impacted his fall Saturdays (in Romney Stadium) and winter nights (in the Smith Spectrum) for more than 30 years.
He spent much of his life in various efforts to serve others. He was actively involved in community organizations throughout his life – Kiwanis being one that he truly loved and appreciated.
When he and Anne decided that they needed to move to smaller quarters, they moved to Pioneer Valley Lodge. They lived there for three very happy years surrounded by loving and caring friends.
He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many capacities. He served as a full-time missionary with Anne at Temple Square as well as in Philadelphia, PA. But the church service that meant the most to him was serving in the Logan Utah Temple, which he did for more than 10 years. It is something of a manifestation of what he believed was important.
He is survived by his loving wife Anne, six children - Kirsten (& Scott Flamand – Gainesville, FL), Peter (& Lisa – Logan), Kurt (& Terry – Greentown, IN), Eric (& Amy – Logan), Maren (& Dale Peel – Mt. Pleasant, UT) and Chris (& Susan – River Heights, UT) - thirty-four grandchildren - 14 great-grandchildren (and counting.) He is also survived by his sister Barbara, sister-in-law Cherie and brother-in-law Hal.
He was preceded in death by his father Rudy and mother Stella, as well as by his brother JR and sister Deon, and a granddaughter Lora Esther Peel.
As a family, we wish to extend a heart-felt and yet insufficient statement of appreciation to the many individuals who have rendered care and concern over the period of time that Dad has been ill. The staff of Integrity Home HealthCare and Hospice has served beyond the call. The staff that cared for Dad at The Gables will always be dear to us. The people at Allen-Hall have been so gracious and caring. And what a blessing it has been for Mom and Dad to be in the care and keeping of the good people at Legacy House these past weeks. So many others have played a role in Dad’s happiness that we can never itemize our gratitude. We are indeed grateful for all the love and support that we have felt.
Mom has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Russ’ name to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints General Missionary Fund.
A viewing will be held at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan at 420 East 1800 North in North Logan on Sunday, March 29, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held in the Logan East Stake Center at 1450 East 1500 North in Logan at 11:00 am. A viewing will precede the service from 9:30 to 10:30. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family online by visiting www.allenmortuaries.net