Claude Earl Rasmussen

Claude Earl Rasmussen was born in Rupert, Idaho on October 13, 1949 to Rex and Edna Rasmussen. He was raised in Heyburn, Idaho, attended Heyburn Elementary and graduated from Minico High School. While in high school, Claude played basketball. He received a basketball and academic scholarship to the College of Southern Idaho. He played on the basketball team and graduated from CSI with an Associates of Arts degree. He later attended Boise State University, majoring in history and minored in psychology and sociology. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1973, Claude started working for J.R. Simplot Company as a truck driver. In 1980 he began working as a crop consultant, which he did for 10 years, before becoming the unit manager for Simplot Soilbuilders in Buhl. Claude retired from Simplot in 2001. In 2001, he began selling insurance for Farm Bureau, until 2009, when he was forced to retire due to health problems.

Claude married Julie Rodriguez on November 12, 1977 in Little Flower Catholic Church. They have two sons, Paul and Eric.

Claude was very active with the youth, coaching baseball and refereeing basketball. He coached baseball in Burley from Little League all the way to Babe Ruth. He was president of the Burley High School Booster club. When the Rasmussen's moved to Twin Falls in 1991, Claude was the President of the American Legion baseball club.

Claude enjoyed golfing, camping, and most of all, his yearly trips to Mexico. While in Mexico, his favorite thing to do was to volunteer at the local orphanage. He was an excellent cook, his specialty being prime rib and chili, and entertaining family and friends. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease. In the last few months, Claude was comforted by his new, yet unexpected friend, Spooky the cat.

He is preceded in death by his parents Rex and Edna Rasmussen and his father-in-law Deacon Pete Rodriguez. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Julie Rasmussen, his two sons Paul Rasmussen and fiancé Katy Simon of Meridian, ID, Eric and his wife Lindsay Rasmussen of Salt Lake City, UT, grandchildren Alexander, Anthony and Sophia Rasmussen and Alexis Beck, sisters Karen Kay (J.C.) Bryan of Lewiston, ID, Marilyn (Jerry) Hess of Rupert, Idaho, Carolyn Bevan of Bellevue, WA, sister-in-law Diana Carillo of Kaysville, UT, brother-in-laws Victor (Delsie) Rodriguez of Nampa, ID, Rudy (Nina) Rodriguez of Caldwell, ID, Peter Rodriguez of Salt Lake City, UT, Andrew Carillo of La Grande, OR, Steve Bevan of Pocatello, ID, mother-in-law Amelia Rodriguez of Nampa, ID, daughter-in-law Meghan Kitley of Meridian, ID, and many nieces, nephews, and good friends.

A rosary will be held on Thursday December 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park” with a funeral mass to be held on Friday December 21, 2012 at St. Edward’s the Confessor Catholic Church at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Dustin Godfrey and the staff at White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park”.