Roger Rasmussen

Roger William Rasmussen 5/8/1930-4/29/2014
Roger William Rasmussen, 83, of Farmington, New Mexico, passed away April 29, 2014 in Farmington. He was born May 8, 1930 in Centerfield, Utah to William L. and Minnie Ann "Dolly" Carson Rasmussen. Roger married his high school sweetheart, Colleen Mickelsen, in 1947. The marriage was later solemnized in the Manti, Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Roger spent 2 years in the United States Army. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to Salina, Utah , to work as a mechanic in a coal mine. In 1951, he was buried in a mine cave in and after recovering from his life threatening injuries, decided that that was not the career he wanted. He then worked as an automobile mechanic for a number of years. Watchmaking was something that was in his blood generations back to his ancestors that were clockmakers in Denmark, and he had always had an interest in it. He decided to make that his career. In the 60's, he worked for several prominent jewelry stores in Utah, culminating with 5 years at Bullock and Losee Jewelers in Provo, Utah, as their shop foreman and primary jeweler. During this time, he completed a course of education at the Rolex School of Watchmaking in New York City, and many jewelry designing courses as well. In 1972, he purchased Alexander's Fine Jewelry in Laramie, Wyoming. He went on to open jewelry stores in Greeley, Colorado; Salina, Utah; Gallup, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; and Farmington, New Mexico. The Laramie and Farmington stores remain in the family to this day. Roger retired in 1994, but continued to do all of the watch and clock repair for Alexander's Fine Jewelry in Farmington, until he was 80. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; granddaughter and her husband, Lexi and Trent Pabst; and grandson, Jim Hall. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Colleen, and the children who thought he was the greatest Dad in the world, Linda (Paul) Meredith of Payson, UT; Jim (Barb) Rasmussen of Laramie, Wyoming; Jill (Michael) Davis of Farmington, NM; and Dave (Jan) Rasmussen of Farmington, NM; 11 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, one of which is currently serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Long Beach Mission. The family would like to express their appreciation to Life Care and Beehive Home #4 for their exceptional care of Roger. Roger's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington and Springer Turner Funeral Home in Salina, UT. There will be a viewing from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on Tuesday, May 6th at Springer Turner Funeral Home just prior to interment at 1:00 p.m. in the Pioneer Cemetery in Salina, UT Burial with military honors accorded by the Salina American Legion Post #36 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. Roger's services are entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St., Farmington, (505) 325-8688.