Toni Marie Rasmussen Lay

Our beautiful Toni passed peacefully on Friday, May 23, 2025. She was born on February 6, 1948, in Polson, Montana, to Natalie (Morigeau) and Howard Rasmussen. Not long after her birth, the family moved to Missoula, where Toni was eventually joined by 3 more siblings – Jackie, Kelly, and Anchor. Toni attended Willard Grade School and Hellgate High School. She very much enjoyed the social side of academics, such as cruising the drag and yakking with friends. After high school, she attended and graduated from Kinman Business School in Spokane. She then returned to Missoula and started her career in public service at the University of Montana ROTC, followed by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Postal Service. She retired in 2004 as Postmaster at Florence, MT.

Toni had fond memories of spending time at our grandparents’ (Walter and Helen Morigeau) ranch and playing with her aunt and uncle (Sam and Moria) and various cousins. Riding horses, playing in the barn loft, creeks, and pastures - a paradise for kids.

Our Toni loved to entertain. Her dinners with her many friends and relatives were fun and memorable. For several years, she would drive to Billings at the beginning of the week to work there, drive back home on Friday stopping at Costco on the way home to get groceries, and then have a dinner party on Saturday. And Christmas!! Her favorite time of the year! She decorated her house to the max. It was beautiful to see and she loved to share the festive joy of the season with everyone.

Toni enjoyed horseback riding, downhill skiing, shopping (especially for Christmas decorations), and entertaining. She made new friends everywhere she went, always willing to help someone out. She had the rare ability to laugh at herself. Toni enjoyed traveling with The Girls (her sisters Jackie and Kelly, and her two close friends, Ingrid and Evelyn). The Girls made annual trips, exploring New England, D.C., the Outer Banks, and the South. The stories we could tell… so much laughter with great memories! She even made a trip to Europe with her friend Charlene Renquist.

Her last trip with The Girls was in March of 2019. They flew to Florida and went to Disney World, then meandered across The South and ended up in New Orleans. Two days after returning home, Toni suffered a debilitating stroke. It left her without speech and the use of her right arm. She persevered, but more setbacks, personal losses, and the discontinuation of therapy due to COVID, were very hard on her. She moved into assisted living where she spent the rest of her days. Toni was confined to a bed the last two years of her life, but our Toni continued to show people her beautiful smile. Her caregivers at The Auberge loved her, and we thank them for their loving care!

Toni was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Natalie Rasmussen; brother Walter; niece Jill; and several aunts and uncles. She is survived by her sisters Jackie (Dave) Dayton; Kelly (Robbie) Giesen; brother Anchor Rasmussen; nieces Katie (Dan) Boardman, Raenelle (Ross) Richardson and their children Grace, Sarah and Rowan; and nephews, Brent Dayton and Andy Giesen (Teresa). She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Shelly (Bart), Darla (Steve), and brother-in-law Todd (LeAnn) and their many kids and grandkids.

We want to thank Toni’s many friends who regularly visited her at The Auberge –Ingrid, Evelyn, Shelly and Bart, Brittany and her boys, Darla, Todd and LeAnn, Patty, Peggy, Myke, Wally, Nila and Warren, and Jessie, just to name a few. Toni enjoyed your visits. A special thanks to Toni’s friend Judy who decorated her room inside and out during her 6-½ years there; and Mary G. who faithfully sent her beautiful hand-made cards each month. If we neglected to mention you, please know that Toni appreciated your visits.

Toni, we will miss your beautiful smile, your laughter, your wonderful sense of humor, and your generous, loving nature. Until we meet again, rest in the arms of Jesus.

John 11:25-26: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die.”

2 Corinthians 5:1: “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in Heaven, not built by human hands.”

No memorial service is planned.