Forever, My Love

In the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, August 21^st, 2012, Trent Hal Rasmussen quietly responded to the invitation of his Father in Heaven and returned home. He was born on March 20, 1973 and is survived by his sweetheart, Holly, and his five children Megan, age 15; Zachary, age 12; Jarom, age 9; Mallory, age 7; and Jonathan, age 3.  He is also survived by his father, Douglas Rasmussen of Rexburg, Idaho; his mother Joellynn Hartnett of Tuscon, Arizona; his siblings Travis (Angie), Rexburg, Idaho; Tracy Morris, Rexburg, Idaho; Trisha (David) Draney of Rancho Cucamonga, California; Troy (Kristi), Rexburg, Idaho; Trevor (Heidy), Rexburg, Idaho and thirty nieces and nephews.

Trent fought valiantly for the past 28 months to defeat cancer with the only objective of staying alive to raise his children to maturity.  He was passionate about politics at every level, having served for a short time as a City Councilman in Providence, Utah.  He was also fervent about Nebraska Huskers football, and Real Salt Lake soccer.  His greatest joy was to play with his family.  His highest objective was to make great memories.  From the moment he was diagnosed with Pleomorphic Spindle Cell Sarcoma he always introduced himself to medical personnel saying, “Hi.  My name is Trent Rasmussen and I am a cancer survivor.”  He also planned several family outings the sole purpose of which was to have fun and make memories.

He graduated from Madison High School, Utah State University, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  He was a skilled carpenter, artist, and landscape architect. He had fulfilled all of the academic requirements to receive his Masters Degree in City Planning excepting a thesis when cancer changed his life.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and shared his testimony frequently.  His expressions of faith never mentioned his battle, but rather reinforced his soul deep conviction that life is good and our Heavenly Father loves His children completely.

Trent married the love of his life, Holly Frandsen, in the Idaho Falls Temple, on August 3, 1995.  From that day on, the most important thing in Trent’s life was his family.  He loved Holly and their children with all of his heart.  

He was a constant teaser and no one was exempt.  He loved to bake and prepare meals and upon tasting his creation he would pronounce his judgment, saying, “Crazy good.  This is just crazy good.” 

He felt drawn to everyone who was or is fighting cancer.  Every time he received chemotherapy he would visit everyone in the infusion center to encourage them and buoy them up.  He would reassure them that they could win their struggle telling them, “God speed. Keep fighting.”  He willingly sacrificed his body through seven major surgeries one of which took all of the major muscles in his hip.  Another took his lung, his diaphragm, and part of his pericardium.  On two occasions he was told that there was no evidence of disease but each time the cancer would return with a vengeance.  At each juncture of his treatment he smilingly accepted the recommended procedure but admitted privately that he was terrified.  Despite those fears he faced death with an indomitable courage.  His resilience and determination was remarkable.  Holly was by his side constantly for the duration.  She questioned the medical staff until she fully understood how she could care for him.  She protected him with fierce determination but was always submissive to Heavenly Father’s will.  She was literally at his beck and call from the beginning to the surrender.

Visitation will be at the Box Elder Stake Center from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 24^th, and Saturday, August 25^th at the same location from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.   Memorial services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Brigham City Cemetery.  Online condolences may be posted at RasmussenMortuary.com.

A special, heartfelt appreciation is extended to all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital who cared for him with love and compassion.