Obituary: LEVER, EARLENE

Earlene Lever1932 ~ 2012Afton Earlene Rasmussen Lever passed away with grace and dignity on October 15, 2012 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.Earlene was born in Salt Lake City, the oldest of four children on April 1, 1932 to Hilmar Earl Rasmussen and Afton Rithfeld Nielsen Rasmussen. She graduated from West High School and married the love of her life, Ronald Keith Lever, on May 21, 1953 for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they had 7 children. Their life revolved around their family and the gospel of Jesus Christ.Earlene served faithfully in the Relief Society, Sunday School, Young Women and Primary. Whether as President, Counselor, Teacher or Advisor she served with all her heart and everyone around her knew of her love for them. She especially enjoyed working with the children and youth. There are still stories told of the fun she brought to many girls camps. Most recently she enjoyed working with the activity day girls, right up until the cancer made her bed ridden but even then many of the girls would still visit "Sister Lever". Earlene also treasured her time as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple.Earlene was an amazing mother. She was always the last one to bed and the first one up. She had breakfast and lunches ready for her large family every morning and always made ends meet on a shoe string budget. Earlene made everything fun. She always had a song to sing or a game to play in every situation and taught her family by example to look for the good in everyone and in every situation. Earlene truly lived her life for her family and was very involved in PTA and attending recitals, meets, plays, concerts, sporting events, etc. She was amazingly talented and could sew, crochet, craft, cook and organize, yet was so humble of her incredible abilities. Above all was her ability to show love to others. She actively cared for her Father-in-Law, her parents, sister-in-law (Dorothy), a close friend (Judy) and of course her eternal companion Ron, showing absolute tenderness and love as she cared for them in the waning months of their lives. She never complained though at times her burdens were immense. Her love for the Savior Jesus Christ was shown everyday in the life she led. It was an absolute privilege and honor for her children to repay her a little for all she had done for them by providing 24 hour care for the last 7 months to allow her to stay in the home where she raised her family and loved so much. And now this chosen daughter of our Heavenly Father has fulfilled her earthly mission and been called home for a triumphant reunion with loved ones and her dear Ronald.Earlene was preceded in death by her parents, siblings: Karl Rasmussen and Kathy Camp, her husband's parents and siblings, a grandson Spencer Farnsworth, and great granddaughters Kirsten Palenske and Hailey Roberts.She is survived by her children: Linda (Bob) Owen, Marsha (Brent) Farnsworth, Elise (Rick) Barnes, Tracy (Frank) Catmull, Roxanne (Dean) Feltenbarger, Keith (Christie) Lever, Scott Lever; brother Ed (Huong) Rasmussen, niece loved as a daughter Chris Cleveland; 38 grandchildren, 18 spouses to grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and many wonderful nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held Saturday October 20, 2012 at 1pm at the Taylorsville 15th Ward 1457 Atherton Drive (4320 S.). A viewing will be held Friday October 19 from 6-8pm at Redwood Memorial Estates 6500 South Redwood Road and 11:30am-12:30pm on Saturday prior to services at the church.A special thanks to family, friends, neighbors and Ward members for their visits, service, love and kindness. Extra thanks to Utah Hospice Specialists for their tender loving care. It was greatly appreciated and meant so much.