Barbara L. Rasmussen

Barbara Lorraine Rasmussen, 82, of Oshkosh, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2023, following a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on July 14, 1940, to Merle M. Barton and Lorraine (Evans) Barton. In her youth, Barb was an enthusiastic and skilled musician who played the piano and drums. As Drum Majorette, she led the Merrill Junior High School and Oshkosh High School marching bands. Barb maintained a lifelong appreciation of music and remained an avid fan of parades and the marches of John Phillip Sousa.

On July 26, 1958, Barb married her high school sweetheart and best friend, Ronald Kenneth Rasmussen. Barb and Ron enjoyed 50 years of marriage until Ron’s passing on March 18, 2009. Together, they dedicated themselves to building a life full of love. They were blessed with four children: Rhonda (Gary) Bartels, Rick (Dana) Rasmussen, Lori (Dave) Brand, and Greg (Jody) Rasmussen. Barb and Ron’s devotion to family included their grandchildren: Lindsey Monroe, Ryan (Nicole) Rasmussen, Michael Luethe (Alex Hanson), Katie (Caryn) Luethe, Casey Bartels (Jarod Miller), Ben Brand (Catherine Drayna), Jordan (Jack) Haessly, and McKenzie Rasmussen (Chris Lehn).

Barb spent most of her life making a happy home for Ron and her children. Barb cared for residents at Caregivers Home Health and Encore Senior Living as an Alzheimer’s Specialist. Whether she was supporting her husband in his career as a police officer, or proudly attending her children’s and grandchildren’s school and sporting events, Barb demonstrated unwavering loyalty and devotion to the people she loved.

Barb and Ron enjoyed exploring the world. Some of their favorite destinations included Spain, Hawaii, New York, Las Vegas, and casinos all across Wisconsin. She also had a love for Door County, Shipshewana, and Warrens Cranberry Festival. For more than 40 years, they spent the summer months with family and friends at Little Silver Lake in Wild Rose. In the last years of her life, Barb lived on the Fox River in an apartment adorned in lighthouses, blue and white nautical décor, and many signs proclaiming the superiority of life near the water.

Barb spent considerable time honing her skills in the kitchen. Favorites of those people lucky enough to taste her cooking included her apple and cherry pies and potato dumplings. Barb’s love of cooking extended to watching cooking shows on TV when she needed a break from matching wits with contestants on the Gameshow Network. She enjoyed watching Daniel O’Donnell and the Molly B. Polka Party on Saturday nights and was lucky enough to see both perform live.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law Bruce and Gloria Barton, nephew William Barton, father-in-law and mother-in-law Kenneth and Eleanor Rasmussen, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Noel and Jean Rasmussen, nephew Vince Rasmussen, and sister-in-law Linda Rasmussen.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, brother-in-law John Nolte and his wife, Chris (who Barb considered a “sister”), brother-in-law James Rasmussen, special aunt Helen Getchel, beloved nieces and nephews, childhood friends Joan Materna and Barbara Huebner, and many other friends including Nancy Roe and Kathy Krohn. She is also survived by three special dogs: Brystol, Lacy, and Dino.

Barb’s family would like to thank her angels at ProMedica Hospice especially John, Jody, Lynn, Amanda, Erin, Pao, Jennifer, Teresa, and Dan for treating Barb as well them with the utmost dignity, compassion, and respect.

A funeral service will be held at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church at 830 S. Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, with Fr. Tom Long officiating. The visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the service to follow. Interment will be at Lake View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23:1-6