Larry Charles Asmussen, 95,  passed away March 21.

Larry was born Oct. 17, 1921, in Payette, Idaho, to Otto and Addie Asmussen. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to Longview, Wash., and Larry grew up there until the arrival of the depression in 1929. Larry, his parents, and his sister, June, returned to Payette so Otto could find work. Larry finished his schooling in Payette, graduating from Payette High School in 1940. WW II intervened after Larry attended a year of junior college. He trained in the Army Air Corps for 11 months, and when his unit was being deployed to England, he was not allowed to go with them overseas because of his eyesight restrictions. He asked to be discharged from the service, so he could go home and work for the war effort there. His family had moved to Portland so that Otto could work in the shipyards, and Larry joined him in working in the shipyards in sheet metal.

On June 1, 1944, Larry married his sweetheart, Bethel Brown of Ontario. She had just completed nurses training, and the new couple moved to Portland so that Larry could work at Albina Sheet Metal while Bethel nursed at Dornbecher Hospital. Larry dedicated his life to God at Hinson Baptist Church, and spent the remainder of his life serving his savior Jesus Christ.

Larry William Asmussen was born on April 3, 1945, to Larry and Bethel. He lived for only five weeks, and following the death, the couple sold their belongings, boarded a train, and moved to Ontario. Larry found a job working in sheet metal there, but later, following advice, he chose to enter the medical world and became a certified x-ray technician. Two more sons were born to Larry and Bethel in Ontario, Clifford Dean, born April 17, 1947, and John Carl, born April 1, 1950. Larry made the decision to move to Burns in 1950 and became an x-ray tech in their new hospital. In a short time, he also became the hospital administrator. He enjoyed the work, but then the Burns Medical Clinic invited him to work as their administrator and business manager while continuing some x-ray work at the hospital, and so he accepted the position. Larry was business manager there until he retired in 1987.

In 1954, Larry and Bethel adopted a daughter from Korea and named her Beth Lynn.

Larry was a very good athlete and enjoyed sports of all kinds. He was active at Faith Baptist Church serving and leading others to his Lord and Savior. During his life, he served as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Bible Study leader. He sang in quartets as well as in the church choir.

He was invited to join the Gideons International, and greatly enjoyed this work throughout the rest of his life, passing out Bibles and speaking in churches. He was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Burns.

In his later years, he enjoyed traveling and cruising, pursuing his hobbies, close family times, as well as church worship, service and Christian fellowship.

Larry is survived by his wife of 72 years, Bethel Asmussen; son, Cliff and his wife, Peggy Asmussen of Burns; son, John and his wife, Jennie Asmussen of Bend; eight grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren, and all his family will miss him very much, and are extremely proud to have shared in his life and love.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beth Lynn.

“As for man, his days are like grass; but the loving kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts.” Psalms 103:15-18

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 15, at Faith Baptist Church in Hines. Contributions in his memory may be made to Faith Baptist Church, the Gideons International or Home Health of Harney County.