Colleen Kirby Rasmussen

Colleen Kirby Rasmussen (July 22, 1942 - December 25, 2015)
Colleen Kirby Rasmussen passed away Christmas evening with her husband, children, son-in-law and sister by her side. Colleen was born on July 22, 1942 in Preston, Idaho to Eldon Kirby and Tressa Kofoed Kirby. She also lived in Weston, Idaho and Dillon, Montana, where she was a popular, high school cheerleader and Homecoming Queen.
After Colleen graduated high school, she moved to Logan, Utah and worked at Thiokol as a secretary, where she met her husband of nearly 54 years, Rex Rasmussen, who affectionately called her “Collie”. After a whirlwind romance of 5 weeks, they were married February 9, 1962 at the Rasmussen family farm in Cache Junction, Utah. In 2012, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends.
They moved often with Rex’s career advancement with IBM and ITEL. In 1994, they settled back in Cache Valley. Colleen was very proud of her work as an office manager for Cordell Lundahl, who greatly respected her judgment, integrity and common sense.
Over the years, Colleen and Rex had the wonderful opportunity to travel internationally and take family trips to Hawaii and Mexico. Colleen said, that no matter what happened in life, no one could ever take away those memories and experiences.
Colleen often said there was nothing she wanted more in life than to be a mother. She had two children, Janna in 1965 and Todd on her birthday in 1968. She was a patient and affectionate mom, who loved her kids unconditionally. Colleen was a favorite among Janna and Todd’s friends because of her willingness to talk openly and her youthful exuberance. Colleen was the “cool” mom that everyone loved.
Colleen was fun-loving and brought warmth and humor to any gathering. Her laughter was infectious. Her daughter, Janna, inherited her goofy humor and laugh. Colleen often joked that when they giggled together it was like hearing an echo. Todd inherited her desire to please and ability to communicate with people.
Colleen was sentimental and even cried during heart-warming commercials. She loved Rodger’s and Hammerstein musicals. Her son-in-law, Joe, fondly remembers catching her dancing and singing around the kitchen to music from “South Pacific” Thanksgiving 1987.
Colleen had her own unconventional fashion sense. “Auntie Mame” - that was Colleen. She loved “baubles”, bright colors, animal prints and high heels. She especially missed wearing high heels in more recent years. We hope that she’s now enjoying wearing red high heels again – like those she was wearing when she first met Rex.
Colleen was an excellent cook, but joked that her dishes never turned out the same way twice. Todd inherited her love of cooking and experimentation in the kitchen. She loved to entertain and was the “hostess with the most-est”.
Although Colleen was baptized in the LDS Church, she was not particularly religious. However all who knew Colleen have said she exhibited her faith more than many who regularly attended church by how she lived her life – with integrity, honesty, warmth and compassion. Colleen believed that you couldn’t go too far wrong if you lived by the “Golden Rule”.
Colleen is survived by her husband, Rex of Logan, UT; her daughter, Janna (Joe) Hawkins of Petersboro, UT; her son, Todd of San Mateo, CA; her sister, Shawna (David) Boudrero of Hyde Park, UT; her brother, Dr. Jim (Jeanne) Kirby of Hayden, ID. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews who adored her, just as she adored them. Family gatherings just won’t be the same without her mischievous sense of fun.
The family will hold a celebration of her life memorial service for family and friends at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice in her memory. Colleen would have liked that. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com