1936
Wendell
2024
Wendell Philo Rasmussen
July 23, 1936 — March 15, 2024
Richfield, Utah
Wendell Rasmussen
Redmond, Utah
‘I’m heading for the last roundup’
Wendell Philo Rasmussen, finished his earthly life on March 15, 2024 at the age of 87 in Richfield. He was born in Salina on July 23, 1936, the first born of Philo and Velma Rasmussen. He lived most of his life in Redmond.
He was introduced to farming at a very early age working alongside his father and granddad raising cattle and horses on the family farm. This was his passion, becoming the fifth generation farmer in his family. Wendell has since passed the farm on to two more generations and it is currently still in operation. The Rasmussen farm became a Centennial farm in 1997.
He graduated from North Sevier High School in 1954 and then attended Utah State University studying Agriculture. While at USU he wrote of his hopes about improving the practices of farming. He left school to come home and put those ideas into the soil. He was the first of the four Rasmussen generations to combine all the land into one farm by first purchasing half of the land from his granddad Wilford, and then later adding the other half that he bought from his father. These generations shaped who he was and gave him the roots he loved.
After serving in the Army in the signal corps, he married Karen Hatch in the Manti Temple. Together they purchased and lived in his grandad's home and raised five wonderful children. He supported his family by farming the family farm, and working for both Redmond Clay and Salt and Russ Buchanan as a truck driver delivering products all over the western states until retiring in October of 2000, driving over two million miles.
He had fond memories of camping in the hills of Sevier County and gathering his cattle on the mountain with his family and friends. In his later years he enjoyed being a grandpa: coming to family activities, camping trips and Christmas parties. His older grandkids got a kick out of him saying “ahh hell” in every conversation.
Wendell had a love for family history and was always willing to tell stories of his childhood, often becoming emotional as he shared sentiments. He was a link to the past, which has bestowed a love for family history to some of his children and grandchildren.
In 1992, he married Gail; they later divorced.
He is a survivor of COVID that he had from December 2020 into January 2021, which almost took his life.
He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Young Men's presidency, as Sunday School president, and as ward clerk.
He is survived by his five children: Kardell (Pat) Rasmussen, Redmond; Rachelle (Sam) Syphrett, Richfield; Angela (Paul) Peterson, Centerfield; Gayelene (Kent) Green, Lehi; Jered (Jessica) Rasmussen, Redmond; 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. His loving sisters: Phyllis Rush and Elaine (Alan) Gurr, both St. George; brothers-in-law Ken Christensen and Don
Despain; and sisters-in-law, Becky Rasmussen and Margie Rasmussen.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Karen; his brothers: LaVon and Ronald Rasmussen; sister Jerilyn Despain; and grandson, Clint Philo Rasmussen.
We would like to thank the staff and aides at the care center for their care and hospitality
during the last years of his life.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 12:00 Noon in the Redmond Ward Chapel, where friends may call Friday evening from 6-7 p.m. or Saturday morning from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Redmond Cemetery with military honors by the Redmond American Legion Post #118. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com
IR
Redmond, Utah
‘I’m heading for the last roundup’
Wendell Philo Rasmussen, finished his earthly life on March 15, 2024 at the age of 87 in Richfield. He was born in Salina on July 23, 1936, the first born of Philo and Velma Rasmussen. He lived most of his life in Redmond.
He was introduced to farming at a very early age working alongside his father and granddad raising cattle and horses on the family farm. This was his passion, becoming the fifth generation farmer in his family. Wendell has since passed the farm on to two more generations and it is currently still in operation. The Rasmussen farm became a Centennial farm in 1997.
He graduated from North Sevier High School in 1954 and then attended Utah State University studying Agriculture. While at USU he wrote of his hopes about improving the practices of farming. He left school to come home and put those ideas into the soil. He was the first of the four Rasmussen generations to combine all the land into one farm by first purchasing half of the land from his granddad Wilford, and then later adding the other half that he bought from his father. These generations shaped who he was and gave him the roots he loved.
After serving in the Army in the signal corps, he married Karen Hatch in the Manti Temple. Together they purchased and lived in his grandad's home and raised five wonderful children. He supported his family by farming the family farm, and working for both Redmond Clay and Salt and Russ Buchanan as a truck driver delivering products all over the western states until retiring in October of 2000, driving over two million miles.
He had fond memories of camping in the hills of Sevier County and gathering his cattle on the mountain with his family and friends. In his later years he enjoyed being a grandpa: coming to family activities, camping trips and Christmas parties. His older grandkids got a kick out of him saying “ahh hell” in every conversation.
Wendell had a love for family history and was always willing to tell stories of his childhood, often becoming emotional as he shared sentiments. He was a link to the past, which has bestowed a love for family history to some of his children and grandchildren.
In 1992, he married Gail; they later divorced.
He is a survivor of COVID that he had from December 2020 into January 2021, which almost took his life.
He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Young Men's presidency, as Sunday School president, and as ward clerk.
He is survived by his five children: Kardell (Pat) Rasmussen, Redmond; Rachelle (Sam) Syphrett, Richfield; Angela (Paul) Peterson, Centerfield; Gayelene (Kent) Green, Lehi; Jered (Jessica) Rasmussen, Redmond; 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. His loving sisters: Phyllis Rush and Elaine (Alan) Gurr, both St. George; brothers-in-law Ken Christensen and Don
Despain; and sisters-in-law, Becky Rasmussen and Margie Rasmussen.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Karen; his brothers: LaVon and Ronald Rasmussen; sister Jerilyn Despain; and grandson, Clint Philo Rasmussen.
We would like to thank the staff and aides at the care center for their care and hospitality
during the last years of his life.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 12:00 Noon in the Redmond Ward Chapel, where friends may call Friday evening from 6-7 p.m. or Saturday morning from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Redmond Cemetery with military honors by the Redmond American Legion Post #118. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com
IR
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Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, March 22, 2024
6:00 - 7:00 pm (Mountain time)
Redmond Ward Chapel
Visitation
Saturday, March 23, 2024
10:30 - 11:30 am (Mountain time)
Redmond Ward Chapel
Funeral Service
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Starts at 12:00 pm (Mountain time)
Redmond Ward Chapel
Guestbook
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