Joy Rasmussen

Martha Joy Rasmussen passed away peacefully on Friday night, May 29, 2015. She was born on March 23, 1919 in Smithfield, Utah to John Henry and Hannah Favell Roskelley. Joy married Sylvan Barson Rasmussen on October 27, 1937 in Smithfield, Utah and embarked on the life of supporting her husband and children.

Joy became a farmer's wife, so she moved to the farm where Sylvan built their first home in Cache Junction, Utah. They moved to LaGrande, Oregon in 1946 and purchased their own farm. Joy spent the majority of her life in Oregon. She moved to Denver, Colorado in 2005. Joy left a life of service to her family as well as her community and church. She worked in the PTA and The Oregon Wheat League in various offices. She worked in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints women's organization, The Relief Society for over 25 years, again in various positions.

Joy was an avid genealogist and spent much of her free time searching out her ancestors. This would lead her on two trips to England to search from original records for her ancestors. Joy also became the leader of a Branch Genealogy Library in LaGrande, Oregon. Joy learned computer skills to enable her to compile a book Ancestry of The Bucks and Benningtons, and have it published.

Joy and her husband Sylvan loved to travel and they roamed throughout the world. Joy was known for her sewing skills, her handiwork, her excellent housekeeping, not a speck of dust in the house, and her wonderful cooking. Joy was always making quilts, either for the family or the Relief Society Organization. Joy loved reading and in her later years she was often found engrossed in a book.

Surviving Joy are her children, Debra (Scott) Powell, Dennis (Renee) Rasmussen, Richard (Sue) Rasmussen, and Linda (Sheldon) Strand; her two sisters, Alta and Ann; twenty two grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hannah Roskelley; husband, Sylvan; and sister, Favell.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2015 from 12:30 to 1:30pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5175 South Picadilly Street, Centennial, Colorado 80015. A funeral service will follow at 2pm, both in the Relief Society Room.

Joy will be laid to rest at Island City Cemetery in Island City, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Aurora History Center, 950 Laredo, Aurora Colorado 80011.

Condolences may be left on the website or sent to the mortuary prior to services.