Bessie Dora Van Leuven

Bessie Dora Van Leuven 89, of Roberts passed away Monday, July 2, 2012, at her home. She was born June 30, 1923 to Joseph Lloyd and Dora Elizabeth Simmons Rasmussen in Coltman, Idaho. She was the oldest of ten children. The family moved to Ucon, where Bessie attended school, graduating from Ucon High School in 1941. She then went into nurses training at the Idaho Falls LDS Hospital Nursing School. While there, she became fast friends with Ada Van Leuven, who introduced Bessie to her family, and had “set up” a date between Bessie and her older brother. It was, however, Ada's younger brother, Vail, who took a real interest in Bessie and eventually, proposed on a street corner in Idaho Falls. Bessie and Vail were married August 21, 1943 in Idaho Falls, and were later sealed in the Logan, Utah temple, prior to his deployment to the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. While Vail was away, Bessie financed the construction of a small building in which she lived on the property of Vail's parents, where she helped take care of the family's farm and cared for Vail's mother during an illness. While there, she used savings from Vail's pay to purchase cattle and feed and managed a small, but growing herd of cattle until Vail's return from the occupation of Japan. Just prior to his arrival, Bessie secured the purchase of the farm just south of Vail's family's property. Bessie and Vail continued to farm there until their retirement. Bessie and Vail were blessed with eight children. She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many callings, including a mission at Nauvoo. She is survived by her husband Vail Van Leuven, of Roberts, her children; Shirley Ann (Richard) Wood of Roberts, Lester James “Jim” (Mary) Van Leuven of Monroe, Wisconsin, Jerry (Krystal) Van Leuven of Roberts; Jay (Pam) Van Leuven of Idaho Falls, Diane (Lester) Hook of Roberts, Kent (Laura) Van Leuven of Roberts, Vicki (Lloyd) Walton of Blackfoot, and Margaret (Damon) Allred of Kirtland, New Mexico, siblings; Velma (Lynn) Metcalf of Leslie, Idaho, Carl (Joyce) Rasmussen of Kearns, Utah; Anne Rasmussen of Soda Springs; May Cheney of Archer, Idaho; Kenneth (Virginia) Rasmussen of Magna, Utah; Macel (Van) Thomson, of Menan; Neil (Laverne) Rasmussen of Ucon; Mary (Robert) Blanchard of Chubbuck; Connie (Ernie) Lee of Idaho Falls, 47 grandchildren, 83 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Robert, (husband of Anne), and three great grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012 at the Roberts 2nd Ward LDS Chapel, with Bishop Jeremie Berrett presiding. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services, both at the church. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.