Donna Glende

Donna Rasmussen Glende April 27, 1925 to March 31, 2015 Donna Rasmussen Glende, born April 27, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away in Chico, California about a month before her 90th birthday. Despite frequent contact with her three sons, life has been lonely without "my man," her now eternal companion who passed from her side on January 28, 2014. Above all, she was a devoted wife and a proud mother. She faithfully believed in her ever optimistic husband as she followed him through Officer Candidate School in the US Army during WWII, and cheered on his every business venture from commercial art to various used and new car agencies, and finally in founding the successful Glende Polaris Yamaha of Chico. To her, their three sons and their wives could do no wrong. She had written a draft of her own obituary, but it focused more on her family than it did on herself. They can wait for a later time to be eulogized. Donna was a romantic. As a girl, she loved the movies. She fell in love with George Mayson Glende (Judd) maybe because of his movie star charm and his thick, dark, curly hair. Every day was a romance just being with him. They married February 10, 1943, later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, and spent 71 years together. They loved dancing, convertibles, boats, cruises, and luxury hotels. But most of all, they loved their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. How she enjoyed spoiling them! Her family-famous chocolate chip cookies will long be remembered, but sadly never duplicated. Donna was a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and expressed gratitude for its teachings just days before her passing. She died with the peaceful assurance that families can be forever. As an active member she made every church calling fun and exciting. If you ever heard her tell a Bible story, you would not forget it. When she told the life story of Ezra Taft Benson in a sacrament meeting, even President Benson himself, had he been there, would have been on the edge of his seat to hear what happened next. These last 14 months without George were certainly softened by the wonderful people and homey atmosphere at Almond Blossom Senior Care in Chico, and by the devoted selfless love and attention from Gray, Tina and their family, who live nearby. She is survived by her brother Blaine Rasmussen (Marilyn) of Bountiful, Utah, her three sons, Steve (Stephanie) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Winn (Gail) of Bakersfield, California, and Gray (Tina) of Chico, California. Her posterity also includes 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She is the daughter of Wilbur L. and Sybil Winn Rasmussen, whom she justifiably idolized throughout her life. Visitation, funeral services and interment will be Thursday, April 9 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah. Visitation 12:30 - 1:45 pm; services at 2 pm.