Sharon Eileen Mortensen Rasmussen

Sharon Eileen Mortensen Rasmussen (Sherrie) 1946 ~ 2022 Our beautiful mother and grandmother passed away peacefully January 22, 2022, at the age of 75 in Washington, D.C.. Sharon was born October 25, 1946, to Joe and Doris Mortensen in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the oldest of three daughters. Her father passed away suddenly when Sharon was very young, and she found herself taking on more responsibility to help her mother. Sharon developed a love for music while learning to play the piano as a child. As a teen, she attended South High School in Salt Lake City. During her teen years she learned to play the organ and began teaching piano students. Sharon joined the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir where her talent as a pianist, accompanist, and organist could shine. The choir was where she would meet her husband, John D. Rasmussen. She and John were married April 29, 1969. They both enjoyed music and it would be the magic that kept their relationship strong for 28 years. After their time in the choir, both Sharon and John joined the singing group, “The Glad Menagerie”. The group performed for many years with Sharon as their pianist. Early in her marriage to John, a newborn daughter was welcomed into their lives. It wasn’t long before their second and third daughters joined the growing family. With encouragement from her family, Sharon decided to pursue her education. While raising her three young daughters and teaching piano lessons, she managed to earn a bachelor’s degree in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Utah. Her extensive knowledge of classical music and her ability to sit down at the piano and play anything that was put in front of her never ceased to amaze. Sharon generously shared her musical talent within her church and community. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For many years, she served in the Primary and as Stake Primary Music Leader, leading the youngest church members in song. She loved interacting with children and became a docent with the Utah Symphony Guild, introducing 5th graders to the spirit of music through the symphony. Her service didn’t end there. She relished in community theater, working with Promised Valley Playhouse, Salt Lake Repertory Theater (City Rep), and Hale Centre Theatre. Many evenings you could find her at auditions, rehearsals, and performances, playing the piano with the orchestra in the pit. The friendships she developed and opportunities that were provided through community theater in the Salt Lake area shaped her life for many years. In her late 30’s she was diagnosed with diabetes. She accepted the diagnosis with grace and poise, devouring all the information she could find about this new world she found herself in. She was determined not to let this slow her down. As her daughters left for college and married, she and John chose to divorce, yet always remained close. She continued with her passion for teaching, instructing up to 40 piano students every week from her home. Over almost 50 years of teaching piano lessons, she influenced hundreds of young students as they learned to play the piano and develop a love of music. In February 2005, her life took an unexpected turn when it became apparent the diabetes had been silently destroying her heart. She had heart surgery, yet was unable to return to her first love, teaching music. Her determination to make lemonade from lemons kept her going and she moved to Denver with her eldest daughter, Bethany, to start anew. She made many connections with members of the church in Denver. She loved the companionship of living with family, especially when she underwent a second heart surgery. She delighted in the freedom to travel and visit her family in Houston and Washington D.C., spending most of the holidays with them. After 11 years in Denver with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, it was time for change. She moved to the east coast to experience life with her second daughter, Meredith, and her family in Washington, D.C.. She treasured time spent with her twin granddaughters in D.C.. Having experienced similar heart surgeries, Sharon and her granddaughter Mirabel, would always share a special bond.. Sharon was blessed to spend the last 17 years of her life living with family, cherishing time with her grandchildren. She was always extremely proud of her daughters and their achievements. Her greatest joy was being part of her grandchildren’s lives and taking pride in their accomplishments. She was an incredible example of love, strength, and courage for all those who knew her. She had a strong faith in the Lord which brought peace to her heart during her final days. Mama, you will be in our hearts forever. We love you. Sharon is survived by her daughters: Bethany (Lewis) Alas, Denver; Meredith (Alan) Atkinson, Washington, D.C.; Lindsay Poff (David Burrows), Houston; Brad Poff (Mark Renda), Houston; Grandchildren: Oli (Kate), Zach, Emily, Sofia and Mirabel; Sisters: Marsha (Ron) Houston, Joan (Lee) Gunnerson; Sister-In-Law: Marie Rasmussen; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, former husband, John, and brother-in-law Jim Rasmussen. Friends and family are invited to a viewing from 6 to 8pm on Friday, February 4, 2022, at Premier Funeral Home, 67 E. 8000 South, Midvale, Utah. A graveside service will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. All are welcome to attend. At the request of the family, please wear a mask to protect vulnerable family members. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to the Heart Institute at Children’s National Hospital. Please follow the link to donate. http://giving.childrensnational.org/goto/SharonRasmussen

Sharon Eileen Mortensen Rasmussen

October 25, 1946 - January 22, 2022