John Lasuen

John Lasuen, 96, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

John was born on April 27, 1928, to Luis Lasuen and Tomasa Urquidi of Aulesti, Bizkaia. John was born into a large family, the fourth of five children. According to an incredibly reliable source, one of John’s favorite activities growing up was to play pranks on his friend and next-door neighbor, a young girl named Matilde Maruri, by pulling out the flowers she would plant between their houses. Though at first she was not amused by John’s shenanigans, he ultimately won her over. Matilde and John were married in 1956, and that same year, they immigrated to the United States, where they built their lives together.

When arriving in the U.S., John first leased the Ocamica Ranch in Bruneau, Idaho. While living at the Ocamica Ranch, John and Matilde’s daughter Anjie was born on February 8, 1957. Soon after, they went to work for Jim Russell and Rich Cornell, they ran a sheep operation, where John was their camp tender and Matilde cooked for the men.

On December 1, 1960, Matilde and John went to work for the Bruneau Sheep Company, which is now Simplot Livestock Company. Hard-working and dedicated, John was soon promoted to foreman and manager of the “number two farm” and Matilde became the cook for their employees.

It is an understatement to say that John Lasuen was determined and resilient. He ran that farm with a dedication second to none. He was there 24/7 to oversee anything and everything involved with turning out an incredible yield year after year. Under John’s capable hand, his crop outproduced all other farms entered in a corn growing competition. Despite not being an official competitor, his efforts were recognized and awarded.

John and Matilde’s son Luis, arrived on November 19, 1964. Together, they raised Anjie and Luis with unconditional love and support. Anjie and Luis enjoyed a playhouse, bum lambs to raise, toys, books, friends and hundreds of acres on which to roam.

In 1987, John and Matilde retired from the farm life and moved to Mountain Home, Idaho. Never idle, they planted, tended and harvested a beautiful garden each year. They also cleaned local business offices as well as their church, Our Lady of Good Council, for over 20 years. In addition to being very involved with their parish, John was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. John spent his final working years as a handyman for the local hospital until his retirement.

John and Matilde had five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Those children were the loves of their lives, and all nine can recall the comfort in gathering at their grandparent’s home for a cold drink and conversation, a home cooked meal, or helping Aitite (Grandpa) with a random task. They could always ask Amuma (Grandma) for a salad and watch her walk outside and pull all the ingredients from their garden. John and Matilde valued their family, their faith, and they lived each day to love and nurture both.

John is preceded into death by his parents, all four siblings, his wife Matilde, and daughter Anjie.

John is survived by his son, Luis Lasuen (Shelly); son in law, Javier Arrieta, and his grandchildren; Nekane Resnick (Tyler); Amaia Donahue (Ben); Loren Lasuen, Lance Lasuen, Shaleah Lasuen, and great grandchildren; Aven Resnick, George Donahue, Vinnie Donahue, and Esti Donahue.

The family request that any memorial contributions be made to the Mountain Home Euskal Lagunak, P.O. Box 88, Mountain Home ID, 83647 or Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 342 E Jackson St. Mountain Home ID, 83647

A viewing will be held Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 2 p.m., immediately preceding a Rosary Service at 3 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home 500 N. 18 E. Mountain Home ID, 83647. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2024, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Mountain Home ID.