Marilyn Lee Asmussen

Marilyn Lee Asmussen, 81 years old, passed away quietly December. 11, 2015 at Harmony House Care Center in Brewster, WA. Her husband of 62 years, Howard Asmussen, was holding her hand. Born into a large family of six sisters and two brothers on April 24, 1934 to the late Helen (Wells) and George Schneider. Her father was known for his fine horses and Marilyn learned to ride early. Riding horses was a great pleasure and escape for Marilyn. She finished one pony express race with torn shirt and bloody arm but Won! In her senior year of high school, Marilyn was the Omak Stampede Queen. Marilyn and Howard had a storybook romance and Marilyn was always glad to tell the story of being stood up by Howard on their first date, only to reunite a year later. November 15, 1953 Marilyn married Howard Asmussen and the couple moved to Mansfield, WA to start their lives together. At their ranch in Mansfield, Howard and Marilyn started a successful working ranch that is still there today. They also had and raised their three children. In 1991, Howard and Marilyn bought a cattle ranch and moved to Loomis, WA. In 2010, they built a hotel in Pateros and retired there. Family, friendship, and a full stomach were very important to Marilyn. She never hesitated to bake a pie, cook a delicious meal, or make a fresh pot of coffee, even after 12 hours chasing cattle in the snow. In 1997, after the loss of their daughter, Lana Arthurs, Marilyn raised her two children, Levi and Rashel. Marilyn was known for her spunky attitude. She had a spicy vocabulary that her family and friends had the pleasure of hearing. Her children and grandchildren learned early that if it was in reach, not nailed down, and you were in trouble, she would pick up something and throw it in a heartbeat…the good news, she mostly missed! Marilyn enjoyed the outdoors. She and Howard spent many hours riding the range. Together, they built an impressive ranch and cattle business. She was a tireless wife, mother, aunt, grandma, friend, business lady, and backbone of all who she cared for. She always stood up for the broken person or animal. Many times, family would find a sick animal on the porch being nursed to health by her. The more banged up you were, the calmer she was. She is survived by her husband, Howard H. Asmussen of Pateros; daughter, Jeanette (Charles) Palmer of Pateros; three grandsons, Ryan Palmer of Bellingham; Levi (Christy) Asmussen of Bieber, CA; J.J. Palmer of Seattle; one granddaughter, Rashel Asmussen of Bellingham; two step-grandchildren, Dionne Asmussen of Omak and Debbie Crossland of Tri Cities; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Taya Asmussen of Bieber, CA; three sisters, Dorothy (Larry) Philmon of Omak, Penny (Larry) Neeley of Omak, and Lois (John) Beeman of Wenatchee. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and George Schneider; sisters, Polly Truax, Helen Buzzard, and Phyllis Beckwith; brothers, Joe Schneider, and Jim Schneider; and children, Lana Lee Arthurs and Arnold Asmussen. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Barnes Funeral Home in Brewster with Pastor Ric Bayless officiating. Services are entrusted to Barnes Chapel of Brewster

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Marilyn Lee Asmussen

April 24, 1934 - December 11, 2015