Jan Rufener Rasmussen

1950-2012

Jan Rufener Rasmussen passed away peacefully while watching the full moon and listening to the rustle of leaves moving in the trees outside her bedroom window in the early morning on July 3, 2012. She fought cancer courageously and valiantly for 18 months. 
 

Jan was born on July 4, 1950 to Bev and Bud Rufener. Jan and her siblings, Dodie and Dave, were raised in Salt Lake City.

Jan graduated from East High School, attended college, moved to San Francisco to work, and returned home to Salt Lake City.

She married the love of her life, Tom Rasmussen, in 1971. In 1983, Jan and Tom received the greatest gift they could have ever imagined; their son, Ryan, was born. With Ryan in her arms, Jan initiated her daily practice of saying good-night to the moon. 
 

Jan was guided by a powerful, yet quiet, moral compass in all her endeavors. She offered unwavering acceptance and love for each individual's strengths and challenges. Throughout her life, she held steadfast and had a caring devotion for others.
 

Jan worked at Mountain Bell before she began her long-time career at The Basket Loft. Jan was loyal and dedicated to her work and to the deeply meaningful relationships with the people with whom she worked. Jan had an artful, creative sense of beauty. This remarkable attribute came into focus in her work and in her home. She was enriched by the rewarding interplay of color, shape, pattern, objects, order, details, and design. 
 

Jan treasured the moon, beaches, walking, Christmas, books, and her backyard trees and birds.
 

Jan's legacy will be held in the hearts of the people she loved-her extended family, her friends, and her friends' extended families. This legacy of kindness and thoughtfulness has been formed over the years by many thousands of simple, unassuming gestures given to individuals one at a time: a card with a hand-written note, a trip to the beach, a small kindness, a letter, perfectly-buttered toast, a long voice mail or text message, a plate of cookies, a beautifully-wrapped present, a book, a gift of her home-made caramels. 
 

The people who loved Jan will never forget her. Perhaps we can find solace at her passing in the lyrics of the song, "I'll Be Seeing You", by Irving Kahal.
 

I'll be seeing you;
In all the old, familiar places;
That this heart of mine embraces;
All day through…
…I'll find you in the morning sun;
And when the night is new;
I'll be looking at the moon;
But I'll be seeing you.
 

Jan is preceded in death by her father, Bud Rufener; Tom's parents, Ken and Fawn Rasmussen; and Tom's siblings, Marlene, Karma, Phil, Carolyn, and Ruby. 
 

Jan is survived by her husband of 41 years, Tom; their son and his wife, Ryan and Kimberly; her mother, Bev DeSpain; her siblings and their spouses, Dodie, Dave and Barb, Don and Larissa, Bob and Laurie; Don and Bob's mother, Wanda; Tom's siblings and their spouses, Fawn and Hollis, and June; and 26 nephews and nieces, their spouses and children. 
 

Jan will be remembered with love and profound tenderness by friends, the friends' children and grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers, and customers.
 

The family would like to thank Dr. Theresa Werner, her kind and caring staff, and the wonderful infusion nurses at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jan's name to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.
 

A Celebration of Jan's Life will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Larkin Sunset Lawn 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City.

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