Leone Durocher Rasmussen

urocher Rasmussen passed away peacefully in her sleep in Broomfield, Colo. Her 97 years on earth has had a huge impact on all of those who she leaves behind. She now joins all of those in heaven who proceeded her and now welcome her home.

Leone was born in Malta, Mont., on May 29, 1920. There, she met and married Alvin Rasmussen on July 3, 1940, and was happily married for 71 years. They then moved to Glasgow, Mont., and had three children: Faithe Schellinger, Lee Rasmussen, and Jerri Rasmussen.

After her husband, Alvin, went to Europe for World War II, Leone began working at AT&T as a telephone operator. She soon became a supervisor and ultimately retired with AT&T.

In 1971, Alvin and Leone relocated out of their beloved state of Montana after several transfers with Burlington Railroad. Their first stop was Tacoma, Washington, followed by a move to Portland, Oregon, in 1977 where Alvin retired. There, they spent many summers with their grandchildren, Shawn and Shannon, as well as enjoyed vacations and family reunions along the Oregon coast.

After their retirement, Leone and Alvin found the warm and senior-friendly community of Palm Desert, Calif., where they purchased a condo and started a wonderful life of being snow birds. After several years of traveling between Portland and Palm Desert, they sold their home in Portland and lived full-time in Palm Desert in 2005.

After the passing of her beloved Alvin and children Lee and Faithe, Leone moved to Colorado to live closer to her grandson, Shawn, and his wife and family. Leone lived on her own independently until the very end. Strongly religious, Leone desperately wanted to be reunited with all of her loved ones in Heaven. Leone was loved by all that knew or cared for her. While we are all sad she is no longer with us, we have to be happy that she is now making Heaven a better place by her presence.

Leone is survived by her daughter, Faithe's husband, Dan Schellinger of Columbia Falls, Mont.; grandchildren Shawn Schellinger and wife Denise of Broomfield, Colo., and Shannon Bachman and husband Michael of Fishers, Indiana; great-grandchildren Kayla and Austin Bachman of Fishers, Ind., and Ryan and Mia Schellinger of Broomfield, Colo.

Leone was preceded in death by her parents, all nine siblings, husband Alvin Rasmussen; children Faithe Schellinger, Lee and Jerri Rasmussen.

As per her wishes, Leone's ashes will be buried with her beloved Alvin in Columbia Falls, Mont., at a time to be determined.

Leone left a long legacy of faith and love with all lives with whom she touched. While our world is a sadder place without her, she is with God and all who loved her.