Judy Elsa Rasmussen

Judith Elsa Rasmussen, cherished wife, beloved mother and respected educator, passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, in Wenatchee, after a hope-filled and courageous fight with cancer. In her final hours, she was surrounded by family and friends throughout the community who loved her. She was born June 9, 1943, in Portland, OR to Winnifred and Quentin Borton. She was the oldest of four siblings, Steven, John and Paul. She attended Washington State University and received her BA in Education in 1964. She met her future husband, Don Rasmussen, while at WSU and the two were married in 1965. After moving to Wenatchee in 1967, Judy began teaching at Columbia Elementary, where she taught for 40 years. Judy loved to teach; her dedication to the children of Wenatchee spanned three generations. She was known for creating a structured learning environment where kids excelled and had fun learning. Judy was a teacher who was always looking for ways to make learning exciting. Judy was an avid reader, enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and taking pictures of her family. She loved food and shared her love of cooking with her children. She was a devoted mother and really worked to make fond and special childhood memories for her children. Judy was a cat lover and rescued many furry friends over the years, even adopting stray neighborhood cats and feeding them as her own. Judy is survived by her husband, Don of East Wenatchee; and her two children, Tom (his wife, Sarah, and expected grandbaby) of East Wenatchee and Amy of Wenatchee. She was known for her big heart, selfless ways, her kind and generous spirit, her love for cats and her tireless devotion to her family and friends. The Rasmussen Family would like to thank all of Judy's wonderful friends for the loving care and support they gave to our wife and mother during this difficult time. We would also like to thank Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and the Central Washington Hospital for their excellent care and services that were so willingly provided. The public is invited to attend a Celebration of her Life to be held at Columbia Elementary School, 600 Alaska Street, here in Wenatchee, at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 30, 2010. Memorial donations may be made to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1400, New York, NY 10122 or the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 55, Wenatchee, WA 98807-0055.

Judy Elsa Rasmussen

June 9, 1943 - October 26, 2010