Rasmussen, Rulon Erastus

4/7/1923-2/9/2012 Our devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Rulon E. Rasmussen, passed away on February 9th, 2012 in Murray, Utah, of natural causes. Those who knew Rulon described him as an inspirational leader, one who brought out the best in people, and a perfect example of humble service. His family was the most important thing in his life. He enjoyed his work and serving others. He loved his Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Rulon always looked to the future with positive excitement, and looked to the past with gratitude. Born on April 7th, 1923, in Draper, Utah, to Stanley Albert and Agness Fitzgerald Rasmussen, Rulon was the fourth of their seven children. Rulon married Donna Lois Nielsen, his high school sweetheart, on August 23, 1944, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of six children. Their hobbies included golf, boating, and travel with family. Rulon studied business and law at the University of Utah and at George Washington University while serving as Clerk of the United States Senate Military Affairs Committee. In 1950, Rulon and Donna moved to Arizona where they raised their family. Rulon established an insurance business in Phoenix and became a national sales leader for New York Life Insurance Company. He was a past president of the Central Arizona Estate Planning Council, as well as of the Arizona State Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. After moving to Sandy, Utah in 1984, Rulon was president of Rasmussen Financial Group, specializing in business and financial planning. He was the recipient of the 1998 Life Achievement Award from the Utah Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Rulon became President of the International Million Dollar Round Table in 1976. He served on the Board of Directors of the Beneficial Financial Group. He was founding chairman of The Grant Taggart Symposium and of The Financial Services Program at the Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University. Rulon was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in numerous church callings, including Bishop, and President of the Colorado Denver Mission from 1981-1984. He was a sealer at both the Jordan River and Draper Utah Temples. Rulon was preceded in death by his parents; son, Duane; great-granddaughter, Emma Rasmussen; sister, Leah Steadman; brothers, Calvin, Vester, and Leroy. He is survived by his wife, Donna; brothers, Donell and Vaughn; children, Steven (Nan), Linda, Kathleen Williams (Bruce), Bryce (Lynette ), Diane Burrell (Jim); twenty-one grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at the Willow Creek LDS Stake Center, 2350 East Creek Road, Sandy, Utah at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. Viewings will be held Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:15 -10:30 a.m. at the same location. Burial will be at the Draper City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints at lds-charities@ldschurch.org. www.goffmortuary.com