Elsie S. Rasmussen passed away peacefully on January 12, 2015 at home. She was born on Sept. 18, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Richard and Alma Simon. She was the youngest of seven children. She married Kenneth P. Rasmussen in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple on April 28, 1943. They traveled life's road together for 69 years. They had eight children: Brent (Tenesa), Dale, Joyanne (Richard), Craig (Pam), Thayne (Chris), Keith (Kathy), Vicki (Moses) and Annette (Scott). She dearly loved and was so proud of her 41 grandchildren and 71 great-grandchildren!
She has always been active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as Relief Society President three times. She also served in the Young Women and Cub Scout programs. She was the first woman in Utah to earn the distinguished Scouting Silver Bee award. Elsie also served as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple. From 1988-1989 she served with her husband in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission, which was a highlight in her life.
Ken and Elsie owned Jordan Floor Service and she managed the business with brilliance and great energy. She drove a school bus for handicapped children in the Jordan School District for 10 years.
When Ken joined The Sons of the Utah Pioneers in 1956 she supported him with gusto. This resulted in the two of them working "equally yoked" in this program for the rest of their lives. Together they spent many years gathering and preserving pioneer artifacts of which they shared with the community.
She was well known for her readings, in the first person of Emma Smith and Lucy Mack Smith while dressed in era attire. Elsie also loved to square dance with Ken in their matching outfits. She spent many hours making afghans for every grandchild and never tired of playing card games with them!
She will be greatly missed and her vibrant and humorous nature is irreplaceable!
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at the Bluffdale 6th Ward, 14400 South 2700 West. A viewing will be held on Monday evening from 6-8 pm at Larkin Mortuary, 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton and on Tuesday morning from 9:30 ‚ 10:30 am at the church prior to the services. Online condolences welcomed at www.larkincares.com.
