Benjamin Henry Rasmussen's Obituary
On Saturday, January 11, 2025, Benjamin Henry Rasmussen passed away and is now resting peacefully. He was greeted with open arms by his mother (Mary Ann) and oldest daughter (Karen) and by wagging tails of his canine companions, Coco and Murphy.
Ben has lived 81 years of an array of accomplishments including his tour in the U.S. Marine Corp. during the Vietnam War, with the Flying Tigers HMM-361 Squadron. He was an ambitious leader in the Boy Scouts of America and served many years in the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was the Idaho State VFW Commander and National Young Veteran of the Year in 1985-86. Ben worked with Utah Power and Light as a Lineman, earning the nickname “Pole Cat”, and transferred into the Dispatch Centers in Idaho and Utah, where he retired.
Ben married Marlene in 1965 and together they had three children, a son and two beautiful daughters. Five grandchildren were an additional blessing. Through the years, their lives took them from Merced, CA to Woods Cross, UT and on to Idaho (Soda Springs, Mud Lake, Preston and Idaho Falls), and back to Utah to retire in Roy. At the time of his passing, he was able to share the home of his daughter and son in law, and was “in charge” of mowing the yard. Let it be known that future lines will never be as straight as Ben’s.
Ben loved camping, country music, and visiting local restaurants and made friends with the wait staff everywhere he went.
Ben held great pride and love for his wife of 59 years, Marlene – they would be married 60 years in May.
Special thanks to Sharlyn (Charly) and Ryan Reinhold, and honorary son, Jason Tanner who are very loved and appreciated. Also, thanks to the hospice team at McKay Dee for keeping him comfortable during his stay.
Our Ben will be so very, very missed.
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