“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” –Mark Twain
Our dear, sweet, father, Gary Ellsworth Rasmussen, passed away peacefully in Provo, Utah on Oct. 22, 2016.
He was born Aug. 29, 1936 to Wanless Ellsworth and Blanche Braithwaite Rasmussen in Manti, Utah. He married Carolena Elaine Bagnall on July 29, 1955 in the Manti, Temple. Later divorced.
Two weeks prior to his passing, he was blessed with the knowledge of finding a true testimony of why he was born. He was then able to share that testimony during sacrament meeting with those around him in the care facility in which he was living. He was able to touch hearts and express his deep love for his family.
Gary was a cowboy, he was raised farming and continued that legacy on into adulthood. He loved his horses and raising cattle and hay to feed them. He supplemented his love of being a rancher by being a drywall contractor. He was an avid hunter and loved camping with his family. He proudly served in the Army Reserves for six years. Gary had a beautiful tenor voice and loved to sing whenever he had the chance.
Gary is survived by his sister Myrna (Fred) Matley, Salt Lake City: nine children: Rees (Yvonne) Rasmussen, Orem; Laurie (Kory) Ballard, South Ogden; Debra (Todd) Newman, Tremonton; Cynthia (Cameron) Vaughn Orem; Ron (Tracy) Rasmussen, Ephraim; Rick (Melinda) Rasmussen, Ephraim; Jacque Rasmussen, Orem; Jaymie Evertson, Kaysville; Melinda Liddiard, Mt. Pleasant, 35 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
We appreciate all the sweet caregivers at Utah Valley Rehab and Healthcare and all the kindness and love they showed to our sweet father in his last years of his life.
We are confident in knowing that he is having a glorious reunion with his parents and sister. Gary will be missed but we know that we will one day be reunited. Until we meet again, sweet father.
Funeral Services will be held in Manti, Utah on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the Manti Stake Center Chapel (555 E. Union St). There will be a viewing from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to services.
Dedication of the grave will immediately follow in the Manti cemetery. Online condolence rasmussenmortuary.com.
