Biography of Jay Rasmussen

Loren Jay Rasmussen, the son of Neils Peter Rasmussen and Cora Bell (Crofts) Rasmussen, was born in Rupert, Idaho on December 13, 1936. He passed away on March 28, 2014 at his home in Nelson, Nebraska at the age of 77 years, 3 months, 15 days.

Jay graduated high school in Rupert, Idaho and went on to university to become a foreign language teacher.  He taught first in Idaho, then in Oregon (where incidentally he robbed the cradle, and married his Sweetheart, Patricia Eckles Pittam Rasmussen in 1965) then on to Connecticut and California, and finally back to Oregon for a career in teaching of 37 years.  Somewhere along the road in one state or another four children were conceived, Adam Shane Rasmussen and wife Setsuko of London, England; Shane Eric Rasmussen and wife Susan of Natchitoches, Louisiana; Heather Athena Rasmussen Rudd and husband Christopher of Grants Pass, Oregon; and Eric Lance Rasmussen and wife Adriana of Portland, Oregon.        Approximately five years ago Jay and Trisha decided to take to the road again and wound up in Nelson, Nebraska, where they found the people to be exceptionally fine! Trisha had family roots in Nelson and Jay was happy to adopt them all as his own.  Jay loved traveling and meeting new and different people. He had a special fondness for the Hispanic and Japanese cultures and loved touring England.        Jay had a positive outlook on life and the hereafter.  In Jay's book of rules there were no strangers; he loved talking to everyone. If they didn't speak any language he knew, he would use gestures.   He especially enjoyed talking about what he referred to as all the "Wonderful Surprises" awaiting us after this earthly life.  In the last year of his life he often spoke of the Big Adventure he was about to embark on. After his death these two quotes were found on 3/5 cards in his shirt pocket:      "For many of us, conversion is an on-going process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience.  Line upon line, precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words and our deeds become aligned with the will of God."  Bednar - Ensign October 2012, p 108         "I believe that people who are devoutly religious within any specific religion, have no true respect for the ultimate vastness that is God."  The Cowboy and the Cossack by Clair Huffaker      Jay is preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers and oldest sister.

He is survived by his wife Patricia (Trisha) Rasmussen, and four children, Adam, Shane, Athena, and Eric, and spouses, also by eleven grandchildren, and his sister, Lola Nelson, as well as many other well-loved relatives.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 11:00 am from the Nelson Community United Church of Christ in Nelson, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. Stephen Berry and Bishop Michael Perry of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints officiating.

Congregational Hymns "How Great Thou Art," "I Need Thee Every Hour," and "Rock of Ages," with song leader Sister Reidhead and Joyce Ruberson as the accompanist.

Inurnment was in the Heyburn Riverside Cemetery, Heyburn, Idaho

Memorials are suggested to go to the Nelson Community United Church of Christ.

Condolences may be sent to Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, 446 South Main St., Nelson, Nebraska 68961 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.