Elmer Henry Rasmussen

WEST POINT – Elmer Henry Rasmussen, 82, of West Point, formerly of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died Saturday, November 17, 2007, of causes incident to age. He was born August 29, 1925 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to George and Ethel Rasmussen. He grew up in Coltman, Idaho, and graduated from Ucon High School in 1943. Immediately he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp at age 18, and served in World War II as a gunner on the B-17. He was stationed in England and flew both military and mercy missions over Europe. Following the war, he returned home to Idaho and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Hunt, on September 26, 1945 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Elmer and Dorothy raised five sons and one daughter. He settled in Coltman and farmed, as well as worked as a mechanic at the INEL nuclear site, retiring as a foreman in 1990. After retirement, he and Dorothy moved to West Point, Utah to be near their children and grandchildren. He often commented that the best crops ever raised on his farm were his children. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elmer served in many capacities over the years, and particularly enjoyed his temple assignments. Elmer loved sports and excelled in fast pitch softball as a pitcher. He pitched his church teams to the all-church tournament two times, and his city league teams to the national fast pitch tournament three times. At one tournament, he pitched 11 games in 12 nights, winning 10, and earned the nickname, “Ironman Rasmussen”. He loved to fish, especially with his children, and was known and appreciated for his sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy, and his children: Thayne (Angela) Rasmussen, Jay (Janis) Rasmussen, Lyle (Beverly) Rasmussen, Roy (Susan) Rasmussen, Curt (Bonnie) Rasmussen, and Ann (Ken) Jewkes; 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Elizabeth Jensen and Erma Clifford. Elmer was preceded in death by his brother Albert, and sisters Eva, Doris, and Joyce, and grandchild, David. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 21 at 11 a.m. at the West Point 8th Ward Chapel, 2865 West 800 North. Friends may call at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South, on Tuesday, November 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday at the Ward Chapel from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Interment, West Point Cemetery. Email condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com