rletta Mae (Casberg) Rasmussen passed away on January 9, 2025 in Burien, WA, with family by her side.
Arletta Mae Rasmussen was born on May 17, 1934, and raised in Clayton, WA. She graduated from Deer Park High School. Arletta first met her husband, Myron, when they both worked on her grandpa’s farm as teenagers. Myron admired Arletta, this hard-working beauty who proficiently drove the tractor during hay-bailing. During senior year, Arletta asked what he wanted for his birthday, she granted his wish when they were married on his birthday, August 8, 1952.
Arletta was a loving wife and mother who gave birth to Sharlene, Myrna, Terry, and Timothy. Her dedication and loyalty were seen as she worked to help support her family at Eastern Washington University, where Myron went to college on scholarship. Arletta worked at Seafirst Bank in Maple Valley, but resigned when she was a robber’s targeted bank teller for a second time. She then did payroll at Tukwila City Hall.
Life’s adventures and job opportunities took Arletta and family to Cheney and Deer Park, Washington; Hobart, Oklahoma; Grandview, Idaho; and Maple Valley, Auburn, and Renton, Washington. Arletta and Myron moved to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Boeing for 4.5 years. They led an underground church in Riyadh and did short-term missionary outreaches in Canada and Fiji.
Arletta’s love languages were hugs, kisses, and quality time spent with family and friends. Arletta and Myron team-led Bluebirds, Campfire Girls, and Cub Scouts; and attended family’s sporting events. She raised many farm animals, and loved to garden and share farm-to-table home-cooked meals with loved ones. Arletta enjoyed The Great Outdoors in many ways; most concluded with visiting and warming up by a “Rasmussen bonfire”. She had a great passion for playing cards and board games and the children of family and friends. Arletta read God’s Word every day, shared Jesus’ love, and was active in church life wherever they lived.
Arletta was survived by her daughters, Sharlene Bielefeld and Myrna (husband Ron) Eller; her son Terry (wife Michelle) Rasmussen; grandchildren: Tracy , Brad (wife Erica), Amie, Heather (husband Ben), Anna (husband Josh), Gabe (wife Erica), Heidi (husband Doug), Garrett (wife Nicole); seventeen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, numerous siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Myron Rasmussen; parents, Edward and Dorothy Casberg; sisters, Evelyn Whitmore and Gerry Evans; brother Dick Casberg, son Timothy Rasmussen and son-in-law Mark Bielefeld.
Arletta’s big, welcoming smile and open arms, warm heart, kindness, love, generosity, and joy will be missed.
We welcome family and friends of Arletta to join us for her Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 15th, 2025, at Generational Hope Church (26040 SE 216th St, Maple Valley, WA 98038). Dessert reception to follow.
