It is with a sense of peace and longing that we note the passing of David John Rasmussen, formerly of Gunnison, Utah, on Feb. 17, 2022, just six days short of his 75th birthday. He died at his home in Auburn, Washington after a long, debilitating illness. He is now at peace and can rest.
David was the third son of Moyle and Helen Rasmussen. He descended from pioneers who were early settlers in Manti and Ephraim.
David lived his early life in two different homes on First South Street in Gunnison. He had many experiences that gave him a rich life at an early age. He was gifted musically with the clarinet, piano and organ and used these talents to bless others. He was very active in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle. He especially enjoyed the troop’s expeditions on the Yampa River. He was an enthusiastic and happy young man, serving as student body president in his senior year at GVHS. He was called to serve a mission in Japan for 2½ years, an experience that influenced the remainder of his life. He was educated at Snow College, BYU, and the University of Utah, where he earned an MBA degree.
He found happiness, love and an eternal relationship with Layne Atwood, a former home economics teacher at GVHS. They have two children and eight grandchildren. David and Layne celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last June.
David and Layne returned to Gunnison and helped operate Rasmussen’s Ace Hardware with his sister, Marsha, and her husband, Curtis Anderson, when Moyle Rasmussen’s health began to deteriorate. Soon after this, David was called to be bishop of the Gunnison 2nd Ward.
David, Layne, and their family lived in Gunnison for ten years and then decided to move to Washington state. They resided in Auburn, where he earned his CPA certification and taught at Green River College and Saint Martin’s University. He was respected at these schools for his teaching skills, knowledge, honesty, and integrity. He expected the best from his students, and he gave his best as well.
David is preceded in death by his wife, Layne, and his parents, Moyle and Helen.
He is survived by his children, Alise (Tom) Christensen and Nathan (Lisa) Rasmussen; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Reed and Paul; and sister, Marsha Anderson.
A memorial service in Auburn, Washington will be held on June 18, 2022, which is the 51st anniversary of their marriage in the Manti Utah Temple.
