May 14, 1936 – November 26, 2020 (age 84)
Donald Robison Rasmussen, graduated mortality on Thanksgiving Day, at age 84, 26 November 2020: peacefully in his Brigham City, Utah home.
Don was born of goodly parents, on 14 May 1936 in Fillmore, Utah to William Hans Rasmussen (1883-1958) and Evangelyn Adelia Robison (1903-1985). Born the 13th of 15-children; the first seven-children were born to William Hans and 1st-wife Katherine Sophia Woodhouse (1892-1926), after she passed, he remarried 2nd-wife Evangelyn, who blessed him with another eight.
Don loved being raised on a farm. He cherished the work ethic he was taught from his earliest childhood: “My earliest memory was on my 3rd-birthday: going to the farm with my father… My father had me marking off a field when I was 8-years old,” and running a “team of horses.” At age 9 “we always had chores to do, animals to feed and care for.” He loved the freedom of fishing and hunting through the foothills, and always held sacred the land, soil, crops, seasons, and cycles of farming life. Though two-years different in age, he and his brother Drew were inseparable: sharing the same Army cot as a bed with their heads at different ends, they worked, hunted, played, and pranked together for 20-years. Hook-man (became a local-legend), and countless other pranks, showed him to be a real character: cultivating a “larger-than-life” personality.
Although Don struggled academically, he excelled in sports: participating in wrestling and football—a four-time Millard High, State Football Champion (1950-53). Graduating ‘Class of 54’ he earned college scholarships in athletics, lettering in football and wrestling at SUSC (now SUU) and again in wrestling for USU. Don served a 2 ½ year full-time LDS mission in Copenhagen, Denmark from February 1957 to August 1959, which would change and shape the rest of his life.
Through hard work, he earned an undergraduate from USU and eventually a master’s degree from BYU, in Education. During his time at USU he found a fellow Danish-speaking RM, Kayanne Een. They courted and later married in the Manti Temple on 19 June 1964. This union was eventually blessed with four children: three-boys, and a girl.
In May 1965 he was hired by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, as a full-time Seminary Teacher: he loved his career. The Danes have a saying, “some people can walk into your heart with their wooden shoes on,” Don had this gift and enjoyed a unique rapport with his students over 32-years.
Serving in numerous callings over his lifetime: various leadership callings, including twice as a Bishop and frequently as a teacher—he especially loved serving with the youth. Culminating his career, he focused on Special Needs students. Upon retiring, he and his bride returned to their cherished Denmark, serving an 18-month CES mission. After returning home, he became a Special Needs Bus Driver, for 15-years. He will be remembered as a beloved dad (never missing a game or match), grandpa (similarly supportive) uncle, and friend. He wrote the, “most sacred calling I held was Husband, Father, and Grandfather.”
He is survived by his children: Hans (Kimberly), Shon (Sherilyn), Mckay (Julia) and his daughter Keisa Martinez. 15-grandchildren and 6½-great-grandchildren. Siblings Drew (Doris), Fran (Doug) Chamberlain, Marsha (LaGrand) Whatcott. In-laws: LaMont Een, Trisha Schiffman, Sandy Een, Kim (Miriam) Een, Kristie (Steve) Heyborne. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kayanne, parents, siblings: Sterling, Julian (Nina), Melba (Floyd) Scrivens, Gwendolyn (Clarence) Reese, Shirley (Harrel) Clark, Mary Louise, Roene (James) Whitney, Beverly (Floyd) Dutson, David Marshall, Hylda, and Roberta. In-laws: Susan Milner, Perry and Lola Een, Jay Schiffman, David Een.
Viewings; Tuesday December 22, 2020 from 5:00 – 9:00pm in the Brigham City 3rd Ward, 203 North 200 West, Brigham City, Utah and Wednesday December 23, 2020 from 9:00 – 10:15am in the Brigham City West Stake Center, 895 North 625 West, Brigham City, Utah. Funeral services December 23, 2020 at 10:30am in the Brigham City West Stake Center.
All attending need to wear a mask. Interment in the Fillmore City Cemetery. Please check here for service updates.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Rasmussen Mortuary.