Grandpa Lloyd

A week ago today we celebrated the life of my mom's dad Lloyd Rasmussen.

He passed away Friday December 3, 2010 at his home, surrounded by his wife and 6 kids. Just one day before I got home. Bummer. I have to count my blessings and be grateful my memories of him don't include him looking or being that sick. I am also very grateful that back in September I bought my plane ticket for December 4th, instead of a week later. I was able to be here with my family for the viewings, funeral, and the days leading up when all the preparations were happening. Not to mention being thankful for Dean, who was a nice happy distraction for all of us.

I have been thinking about this post ever since he passed away; what I wanted to say or where to start. I'm sure a lot of people idealize their families, or family members, as perfect. I know I do, and I don't think I am that far off. There is so much to celebrate about him that it seemed like nothing I could write here could do him justice. So I was relieved when my cousin expressed similar feelings and simply posted his eulogy that was read by his children. Thanks Annie.So here it is, for safe keeping and family history.

If you want a quick read, skip down to 'Family.' If you want a little more after that, read 'Temple Service' because he would have wanted you to :)

LLOYD M RASMUSSEN – THE EARLY YEARS

Lloyd M. Rasmussen was born in Monroe, Utah on February 6, 1934 to Floral and Rulon Rasmussen. He had two brothers. His elder brother, Rulon Eugene, whom I call Uncle Gene, is here with us today. He also had a younger brother, Ronald who passed away at the age of five months. His parents were wonderful, hard working people. If there is one thing I know, it is that my Grandparents were committed disciples of Jesus Christ and had impeccable faith. Lloyd was born into a rich heritage of ancestors who lived and testified of the truthfulness of the Gospel.

Floral described her son Lloyd as being a most serious boy. Mature beyond his years. As if he were born an old soul.

My Uncle James used to love to tell us that “one day when Lloyd was a little baby he laid in his crib, kicking and cooing like any other little baby… and then he rolled over and planned the rest of his life.”

But somehow he managed to find some time to play as well. He loved playing marbles and from what he told us he was awfully good. I can imagine those games were pretty competitive.

Dad worked hard in the fields with his brother and friends. He liked friendly competition, and made his work in the fields enjoyable by striving to collect more than the others.

When he was a boy my Grandpa Rasmussen put up a backboard and net. This was the beginning of my father’s basketball career. He spent many hours perfecting his shot. He found he had a real talent at playing basketball and excelled at it. My Grandmother Rasmussen would tell me how exciting it was to watch her son play. During his Junior year of High School his team won the Utah State Championship. Grandma Rasmussen wrote in her history that half of Monroe traveled to watch the championship game at the University of Utah. It was a happy, happy day when they won. Upon traveling back to Monroe there was a huge caravan of cars trailing the bus. The other half of Monroe came out to meet them at the city line. Cars and fire trucks lined the roads. They were welcomed home by a joyous crowd.

Many of you may not know that my father went on to play basketball for BYU; and you can see his picture hanging today in the Athletic Complex there.

Although basketball brought many successes in his High School Career, there is no doubt his biggest accomplishment was winning the heart of a certain girl. I loved to hear my father tell the story of first seeing my Mother.

It was a night during Christmas time. People from Monroe and Elsinore were gathered for a Christmas Program and he saw the most beautiful girl dressed in white. My Father told me how he went home that night and asked his brother Gene, “who is that girl in the white dress with the long blond hair?”

And Gene answered, “Why that’s Pee Wee Lott’s Cousin.”

It took some further sleuthing to find out her name was Sharon Lott. They met at South Sevier High School a few years later. And by his junior year, they were high school sweethearts. My Dad writes, “We had common goals and aspirations, we made sacrifices to be together.”

Lloyd and Sharon were married June 26, 1953 in the Manti Temple. Lloyd finished his college at BYU. Both Sharon and Lloyd worked hard to pay their way. After graduating, Lloyd was recruited by Bank of America. He accepted the job and that brought them out to California. They were only here a short time before Lloyd was drafted to the Army. Off they went to El Paso, Texas. Lloyd and Sharon learn many life lessons during those years.

You might assume by seeing their large posterity that they were blessed right away with children. That was not the case. There were six years filled with miscarriages and heartache. But those years also fostered their faith in God. My Grandmother shared with me a beautiful experience they had in the Manti Temple that meant so much to her. One night in the temple Lloyd’s father Rulon offered a most beautiful prayer for them. Floral remembered it as being a most spiritual moment.

Soon after, Sharon and Lloyd were blessed with a sweet boy they called Danny. But the challenges didn’t end there. After Danny, Mother had another complicated pregnancy ending in miscarriage, and Doctors told her to go home and enjoy the one boy they had. They were told they would not be able to have any other children.

I am the sixth child naturally born to Lloyd and Sharon Rasmussen. I would not be standing here today if it were not for the unshakable faith of my parents and grandparents. My father believed that through faith, miracles are possible. My father’s life was filled with miracles. And his posterity is evidence of it.

I always knew that my father knew that the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was true. I know that he knew that through faith in the Atonement of Christ anything was possible. But what I am most thankful for is that he taught me this too. So that I too may testify of the truthfulness of the gospel and reap the blessings that Heaven pours down upon us.

SUCCESS IN BUSINESS

While my father is the most honorable, loyal, patriotic person I know, he did struggle to excel in the army. I can only speculate why -- but over the years I have noticed he is not a fan of taking orders. Perhaps the Army was the only job in his life in which he did not excel. He proudly finished up his tour where he started off, as a Private First Class.

While in the army stationed in El Paso he moonlighted as a “baby butler” salesman. Now I am sure you’re wondering: “what in the world is a baby butler?” It’s basically a predecessor to a baby high chair. I remember tormenting my younger sisters as they were strapped in these contraptions. This was his first job in sales, and he quickly learned he was very good at selling things. That point was driven home when he returned to California and went back to work for Bank of America. It was at that point in time he realized that his monthly residual check from baby butler sales was greater than his bank paycheck for the month. He then started seeking out a sales position with a firm that would pay him in direct proportion to his efforts.

Over 51 years ago, he joined New York Life Insurance Company and started what is now Rasmussen Financial & Insurance. This career choice provided him an opportunity to work for himself and be compensated directly for his efforts. He writes in his family history “life insurance selling and all of its complications have brought us independence, all of the needed luxuries, travel opportunities and recognition for achievement. It has provided us sufficient surplus to become involved in business and investments.” This opportunity not only provided for our family but perhaps, more importantly, it has provided tens of millions of dollars in important death and retirement benefits to many families and businesses he has worked with over the years. Numerous times I have been told by our clients “we would not be able to stay in our home if it wasn’t for your father” or “we would not be retired today if it were not for your father.”

When I joined him early in my career, he made it clear to me that we always work in the best interest of our clients, not for ourselves or any insurance or financial institution. Over the years he has mentored dozens of agents, many of them here today, who in turn have helped literally thousands of families with little direct compensation to my father. His decision to affiliate with New York Life proved to be a blessing to all because like he, it is an honorable institution which is run for the benefit of policyholders not stockholders.

After realizing a few years of success, he felt it important to find a way to develop multiple sources of income so that if for any reason the insurance business income stopped our family could survive. This, he surmised would allow him to deal from a position of strength.

In an effort to create another source of income in 1967 my father and De Mar Baron started R & B Investments and began purchasing apartment buildings in Orange County. R & B has grown to be an important business for both the Rasmussen and Baron families. My father and De Mar have a unique partnership. To the best of my knowledge they have seen eye-to-eye on every major decision they have faced. They have been examples to their children of how partners should act in looking out for the best interest of each other. Both families are grateful to R & B’s key property manager of over thirty years, Diane Runkle. Her work and their trust in her allowed them to each serve as mission presidents for three years, Lloyd in Oregon and De Mar in Michigan without a worry of how R & B would be run.

Over the years my father has had multiple other business interests building homes, manufacturing boats and several other ventures.

It is heartwarming to read the notes and e-mails we have received the last few days and many speak of his character and honesty. He has taught us that integrity, above all, is vital. He taught us early on the importance of keeping our word, of honoring our promises. An example of this was when I was when I was a very young boy, aspiring to be a professional baseball player. One of the tools that I thought would get me to the big leagues was a pitch-back, you know its those net things that spring the ball back to you when you throw it at it. Rather than buy one for me, my father loaned me the money. I had to sign a promissory note which read

“For value received, I promise to pay daddy $8 on or before June 15, 1971 for a pitchback. If I fail to pay the $8 on or before June 15, 1971, I will return the pitchback to daddy and give to him my baseball glove”, Signed by Daddy and Dougie. Now that’s a note with teeth in it. I am proud to report that the note reads PAID IN FULL.

As we proved our trustworthiness, my father provided similar financing for bicycles, toys, trips, education, and even down payments on our homes – he was generous with us because he loved us, but also because we learned at an early age to fulfill our end of the bargain.

As I worked with him over the years, I noted that my father had a remarkable ability to unravel the complex and create a plan to succeed. He was intelligent, yet practical. And he was wise. Many within the sound of my voice have benefited from his counsel over the years.

He and my mother came to California in 1959 with all of their possessions in a funny little one-wheeled trailer. He departs this life leaving his dear wife and family with financial security and a remarkable legacy of hard work and faith. Whatever achievements I have attained in my life have resulted from the influence of Lloyd M Rasmussen, and I will always be grateful for that.

CHURCH SERVICE

As Doug has described, my father excelled in the business world. But in addition to that and what he would consider more important, he also spent countless hours in the service of the Lord and to his fellow man. My father led by example and there was never any doubt about his view on things. There are too many callings to list but, to name a few, within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints my father served as a Bishop, a Stake President, a Regional Representative (now known as Area Seventy) a Mission President, and a member of the first Newport Beach Temple Presidency. My sister Susan will share some of his feelings and experiences in regards to the temple.

In these positions he interacted frequently with general authorities of the church. In our home is a Bible signed by church leaders that have stayed there. This list of signatures is long and, to name a few, includes:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie,

Elder David B. Haight,

President Marion G. Romney

President Howard W. Hunter,

President James E. Faust,

While these valiant men trained and instructed my father in his Priesthood responsibilities there was one that held a special place in his heart. That would be President Spencer W. Kimball. My father wrote:

“In March 1972, President Spencer W. Kimball, who at that time was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, came to our Stake to call a new Stake President. He stayed in our home.

He had just returned from Japan and was suffering from a chest cold. This was a more serious problem for him because of his throat operations. Friday night, after interviewing a number of the brethren, we had returned to our home and he had retired for the night when I heard him call for me. He was having a restless night and asked for a chair to be put in his bedroom and that I give him a priesthood blessing. After the blessing I returned to my bedroom and the next morning he said he had rested well. The next day he called me to be the new Stake President.”

Later my father wrote: “Again it was President Kimball who changed my church service. He had ordained me a Bishop, set me apart as a Stake President, blessed me in the temple, and extended the calling to become a Regional Representative. When called to be a Regional Representative, my comment was that I would serve where called, but that I had only been Stake President for four years. He replied, "Yes, I know, but this way you will serve a larger number of people."

During the eight years as a Regional Representative my father served as chairman of the temple and genealogy committee, chairman of the farm committee for the church’s 4,000 acre farm in Blyth, vice chairman of the education committee and one of the three regional representatives assigned to plan the area conference at the Rose Bowl where approximately 80,000 members of the church in Southern California came to participate. As President Kimball had stated, in this position he really did serve and bless the lives of a “large number of people.”

In 1990 the Portland, Oregon mission was split and my parents were called to lead the brand new Eugene, Oregon Mission. Opening a new mission is especially difficult because you start with little infrastructure and need to quickly build it into a thriving mission. By applying lessons learned, long hours, hard work and faith, my parents prepared the mission to quickly grow from 81 missionaries to 160 in just over 6 months. By the conclusion of their 3 year mission, they worked with more than 500 missionaries, touched the lives of countless Oregonians, and loved them all. My father wrote:

It is not easy being a missionary. Trials, tests and challenges are always present. Heartache and disappointments are frequent. Poor health and sickness attack, but then the miracles occur. Miracles are witnessed when peoples' lives are changed as they accept the Savior, are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Missionary's lives are changed when they participate in the sanctifying process and mature as Disciples of Christ. Through faith many miracles have occurred as our sick have been healed and our endurance has been rewarded.

As described, my father served alongside prophets, apostles, regional and stake authorities and led a valiant group of missionaries, but he seemed to be the happiest serving as a home teacher and working individually, behind the scenes, with those that needed spiritual, physical, or temporal assistance. As his Home Teaching companion, I remember going on our family visits but also assisting in all types of cleaning and moving projects. I know he enjoyed these experiences more than any other because he felt like an instrument in the Lord’s hands to bless these individuals and families.

My father was clearly an active participant in the lives of many. He sought out the needy and was continuously engaged in good works. His application of faith, hard work and a willing heart provided many spiritual impressions and personal revelations as he was often instructed what to do. In his written history, he says:

“I have learned that when one is working hard and seeking inspiration it will come simultaneously as it comes to others. I have made decisions and known they were right and then later received direction stating the same conclusion.”

My nephew Daniel Rasmussen “Danny” described his Grandfather Lloyd this way,

He took the Church and his discipleship seriously and consequently left us with a deep and abiding reverence for the sacred and a perspective that when you put first things first, things will work out. Passive discipleship was not tolerated in his home. No one ever wondered whether grandpa would follow the prophet or not; everyone knew he was on the Lord’s side, and his life is full of fruits of that fidelity to the cause of Christ.

TEMPLE SERVICE

There may be some here today who only know our father because of his temple service. Lloyd Rasmussen loved to be in the temple. Following his service as Mission President in Oregon, he came home and began the next chapter in his many years of church service in the Los Angeles Temple. After only a few months serving as a recorder, he was called to be a sealer. He and my mother flew to Salt Lake City where President James Faust conferred the holy sealing power upon him.

Our parents, like many others, were thrilled with the announcement that a temple would be built here in Orange County. Dad was as excited as a schoolboy to be invited to be part of the Temple Dedication Committee. He served as the Chairman of the Ushering Committee responsible for planning and executing all logistics pertaining to hosting and ushering guests through the open house tours and dedication sessions.

In June 2005, Elder Stephen Oveson was called to be the President of the soon-to-be-dedicated Newport Beach California Temple. President Oveson later told me that when he was called he was given a list of many names. As he pondered on the names, he knew immediately the two men he should choose as counselors and what callings they should have. Even though he had never met President Oveson (at least in this life), my father was called to be the First Counselor and Recorder and was told that he had until July 23 to organize and issue callings to the hundreds of volunteers who would make up the temple workforce. This was a monumental task to accomplish in a short amount of time. He took it on with faith, and he tenaciously delivered what was asked of him.

One evening, Dad came home while Sandi was visiting. He described to her witnessing craftsmen meticulously shaving designs into the carpet of the Celestial Room. My father felt fortunate that he and Mom could be involved with the launch of the new temple in such an intimate fashion.

As a family, we are so grateful for the unique opportunities my father’s temple callings have given us. For instance, we were introduced to President Gordon B. Hinckley when Dad was set apart in the presidency. And those who were old enough were seated in the Celestial Room to hear my parents speak during one of the dedication sessions.

However, the spiritual strength we have received from his temple service is the most far reaching. As a sealer Dad performed the marriages of five of his granddaughters: Katie, Jennifer, Chrissy, Allison and Anne. The only married grandson, so far, married a girl whose own grandfather was also a temple sealer. Otherwise, Dad would be six for six.

We were also fortunate to participate in temple sessions as a family. It was incredibly rewarding to share that time together serving and being taught. David remembers Dad teaching in the temple more than once that the family is the perfect unit. Not that the individuals are perfect, but the family structure is perfect. He would usually follow that up with “If there was something better, then Heavenly Father would have used that instead.” Dad continually emphasized the eternal potential of families and that the covenants we make bind us as families. As a bishop, my husband Jim often shared counsel that my father used before a sealing when he would tell the couple that they NEED each other. Not just for companionship, but to progress eternally.

We have one universal memory of the sealing ceremonies Dad performed. He would tell the bride and groom at the beginning of a sealing that this isn’t just a wonderful marriage. It is a “GLORIOUS” marriage. Because the marriage is occurring in the temple, it is a marriage of glory. He loved to use that word “GLORIOUS,” and it will always remind us of him.

Both Mom and Dad deeply love their friends from the temple. They loved visiting other wards because they always had friends in every ward of every stake.

Last month when Dad wasn’t feeling well, he considered missing a sealers meeting at the temple, but changed his mind. When he came home he told us that he was so glad that he attended. Elder Craig Christenson of the Seventy was presiding. They had a wonderful meeting, and came to realize that Dad had grown up in the same neighborhood with Elder Christenson’s mother and that they had other close ties. While he was there, Elder Christenson offered to give him a blessing. Blessings are rare in the temple, but he received it gratefully and drew great comfort from the beautiful spirit of that blessing.

Now, whenever I attend the temple, I walk past the temple office and feel the urge to go in and visit with my parents. Dad often invited people into the President’s office for instruction and advice or just to visit. He loved to discuss scriptures and doctrine with his family and friends. I know that I will always expect him to come walking around a corner or out of a door at the temple. In a fitting tribute, President Thomas Borquist told my father recently that his footprints are throughout the Newport Beach temple.

“Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness” (Bible Dictionary) My parents brought the spirit that exists in the temple home with them. People who visit can literally feel it. Dad commented once that he felt that his living room was as sacred to him as the temple because it is a special room, clean and beautiful, saved for special occasions and specific purposes. Over the years, we have gathered there as a family for special priesthood blessings.

Last week, as our family rallied around my father at his home, one grandchild came often. She sat in his room with us and enjoyed the wonderful feelings of love that were there. As she left one night, she told her mom, “I love being here. I feel the same feeling here that I feel in the temple.” Even in his final days, he exuded the joy of the gospel and the spirit of the temple.

FAMILY

As you can see by the things that have been said already today, our Dad was an amazing man and leaves behind a remarkable legacy. He was a loving husband and father, a successful businessman, and a spiritual giant. He touched many lives and helped many people during his time on earth. He went about his life constantly serving and helping others. These past few days our family has received many calls and emails from others telling us how much our father influenced their lives. As we read through these letters we become even more aware of what a caring person he was. Many of these letters say phrases like “He changed my life”, “He made me feel loved”, and “I will be eternally grateful to him.” He truly cared about others and took the time to help them with their needs. He not only helped others spiritually, but also financially. He was a generous man. Many times he offered financial support to those who were struggling. He helped some pay for missions, college expenses, and even buy their first home or start a new business.

Our Dad was a great leader in all that he did, but more importantly, he was a great husband and father. He loved his family and we loved him. We knew he loved Mom by the way he treated her, and made sure that we always showed her the respect that she deserved. He was caring and patient with us as we grew up and always interested in what we were doing. His famous phrase to us as teenagers was “Don’t do dumb things.” That was usually enough to keep us out of trouble. He was a stable influence in all of our lives, and that gave us a great sense of security. We always knew that we could go to him with any question or need and he would be there for us.

The love he fostered among the members of our family is best exemplified in the reaction of each when my sister Susan was told she needed a kidney transplant. All volunteered, and Doug unhesitatingly chose to make that sacrifice for her. True, Doug is a hero in our eyes. But he received his hero-training at the feet of a master hero.

As we matured and started our own families, Dad and Mom have been great about having lots of family activities to keep us all close. We regularly get together for baby blessings, baptisms, mission farewells, homecomings, weddings, and holidays. We have been on many fun trips together to Hawaii, Utah, and Idaho. It is always lots of fun for all of the kids and grandkids to play together and it has helped us all become great friends.

We have many fun traditions for our favorite holidays like Easter, Halloween and Christmas that the children and grandchildren love. For Easter, there is always a fun Easter egg hunt for the grandkids in Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard. Hundreds of eggs filled with candy and money are hunted for each year. One year Grandpa even hid an Easter egg in his pocket that had a $20 dollar bill in it. He loved to watch his grandchildren’s faces as they hunted and opened their eggs.

Dad and Mom have always made Christmas a special time for us. Each year we have a big Christmas Eve dinner and party at their home. After dinner, the grandchildren reenact the Nativity before any presents are opened. Grandpa always made sure that his grandchildren knew that Christmas was really about the birth of the Savior.

Dad always had a deep and abiding love for the Savior and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of our parent’s teachings and example to us throughout their lives, all 6 of their children have also grown to love the gospel. We have all been sealed in the temple to wonderful spouses and have wonderful children of our own. We all have strong testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the desire to share it with others. Our greatest hope is that we can pass on this great love to our children as Dad did. And so to the next generation, my kids and my nieces and nephews, please always remember that we love you, that Grandma & Grandpa love you, and that we love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and know it to be true, and that by following the principles you have been taught your lives will be blessed.

As we say goodbye to Dad today, he leaves behind a loving wife, 6 children with their six eternal companions, 31 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren with another on the way and many members of a wonderful extended family – and that does not include his many, many dear friends. We will miss him, but know that we will see him again someday. We love you Dad. Thank you for all you have done for us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Cousin Tori with Grandpa & Grandma Rasmussen