Our dear dad, grandpa, and brother, Gene Rasmussen passed away in Soda Springs, Idaho on February 6, 2018.

He was the born December 10, 1930 in West Weber, Utah, the second child and only son of Janet Adelia Gibson and Loran J. Rasmussen. They lived in West Weber for 6 years. When his dad brought the milk route in Lago, Idaho they moved back to the family farm.

He and his older sister, Evelyn enjoyed doing all the things farm kids do and welcomed a younger sister, Helen when he was 7.

They grew up during the depression when money was tight, and food was scarce, but he said they never went hungry. This taught him to repurpose and reuse and never waste. \His greatest joy was making something out of nothing.

He learned the value of hard work from neighboring farmers and ranchers where he made memories that lasted his lifetime.

Gene graduated from Grace High School and enlisted in the Navy, December 29, 1950 during the Korean Conflict. He qualified as a Sea Bee and was stationed in California, Newfoundland, Morocco and Cuba. He always said his days in the service were the best years of his life.

He met a beautiful Canadian girl, Arline "Artie" Grant and after a period of correspondence and courtship they married in 1953. Three kids, Karen, Beth, and Grant completed their family.

Upon discharge, they came back to Idaho. He found employment at Monsanto after being home about two weeks. Gene loved his work and made many friends. He worked for Monsanto over 30 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and shared tales of successful happy times with friends and coworkers. There were also lots of fun stories and fond memories of snow machine rides with close friends and neighbors. He worked hard to provide for his family and taught them to work hard and work together.

When he retired they entered a new phase of their life taking many trips to see family, and bus trips around America, a cruise to Alaska and a vacation in Hawaii.

He was active in the American Legion and caretaker of the Lago Cemetery for many years. Gene cherished his wonderful neighbors and the members of Williams Ward who were so good to him, blessing him with their time, treats, and friendship.

We will miss Sunday drives, eight p.m. phone calls, library searches for large print books, Monday night visits to the farm, his wit, his humor and parting instructions to "Stay Sober".

He is survived by his three daughters, Karen Beckstead of Whitney, Beth Rasmussen, or Soda Springs, and Cathy Jo Rasmussen of Grace, his sister Helen Horsley and Brother-in-law Donald Grant. He also leaves 8 grandchildren and their spouses as well as 22 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a son, Grant, sister, Evelyn, two brothers in law, a sister in law, a son-in-law, and a great grandson.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, February 12 at 11 a.m. at the Thatcher/Williams Ward Chapel in Niter. Family will visit with friends on Monday morning 9:30-10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Lago Cemetery.