On May 3rd, Bethel departed from her earthly family to join her heavenly one. She was eight days short of her 99th birthday.

Bethel was the third of four children born to William E and Martha L Brown of Malheur County, Oregon. Her parents farmed land just outside of Ontario and she was raised as a country girl. 

When Bethel reached age 17 her father died from a series of strokes and the family moved into Ontario. Bethel graduated from Ontario High School in 1941 and entered St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Baker City that autumn. 

Bethel met her future husband-to-be and life partner, Larry Asmussen while working at a cannery in the summer between High School and Nursing School. Larry enlisted in the Army in 1942, serving during WW II. The two of them became engaged in the winter of 1943, while Larry was in the Army. After Bethel graduated from Nursing School as an RN in April of 1944, she and Larry were married on June 1 in the First Baptist Church of Ontario.

Bethel began working as an RN right away, while Larry worked in the hospital as an x-ray technician. Their first born son Larry William was born in 1945 and sadly passed away when he was only six weeks old. Soon another son, Clifford Dean, joined their family, born in 1947. And in 1950 their third son was born, John Carl. When John turned one year old, Larry accepted a job at Harney County Hospital in Burns, and moved his family there. The Asmussens became life-long members of the Burns Community and Harney County.

Wishing for a daughter to complete their family, in 1954 they adopted a little girl from Seoul, South Korea that they named Beth Lynn and their family was complete. The Asmussens moved around the Burns area until they found their forever home on N Quincy in Hines in 1959. They raised their family and lived there for 57 years. 

Bethels’ entire life was dedicated to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She said she never knew a time without God in her life. They found a home at First Baptist Church in Burns, later renamed and moved to become Faith Baptist Church. Bethel served during those years as a deaconess and Sunday School teacher, and sang in the choir and with her family. She had a lovely alto voice and loved to sing.

Besides caring, nurturing and nursing others, Bethel enjoyed crafting of all forms. She particularly enjoyed making dolls and doll clothes, painting and drawing, gardening, crocheting and taking photographs. Every year she entered one or two items in the Harney County Fair along with flowers from her garden. She shared her love of sewing by making clothes, quilts and blankets for all of her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters. She also was a second grandmother to many other children in her church and neighborhood. 

Bethel and Larry’s hobbies were camping on the High Desert and hunting for rocks and artifacts on the lands of their friends. They were truly outdoor high desert lovers, and enjoyed being with their family and friends outdoors.

Bethel came from a family of Harney County pioneers, who loved the high desert. She was actively involved in the Harney County Historical Society, along with her mother, and would share her stories with the group. She loved family history, and keeping in contact with all her many widespread relatives. Bethel also had many, many cherished friends and acquaintances. 

Larry and Bethel had amazingly good health, and enjoyed an active lifestyle into their 90’s. In their last years together, they sold their family home for a small retirement cottage. They both enjoyed their new home and that experience at the end of their lives. After a long and happy marriage of 72 years, Larry passed away in 2017. After two years on her own in the cottage, she moved into the Aspen Assisted Living facility. Bethel was happy in her apartment there, and the social outlet it provided during the Covid-19 quarantines. Declining health finally took her to Heaven after a long and well-lived life.

Bethel is survived by her sons, Cliff and John, and their wives. She has eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, as well as two great-granddaughters. 

In lieu of flowers, donations or remembrances can be made to Faith Baptist Church of Harney County where Bethel was a life-long member.