Winefred Jeanette Rasmussen

Winnie Rasmussen left to meet our Lord, Jesus Christ, on July 7, 2013. She was born in Ketchikan, Alaska, on January 6, 1928, to Thomas and Marianne Paulsen. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband of 52 years, F. Bruce Speas, her 4 siblings, 3 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

Winnie loved Jesus and was a lifetime member of various Lutheran churches in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. She was involved in First Lutheran (since 1999) of Astoria’s Berean Circle; played in two hand bell choirs; put together layettes, knitted sweaters, and helped make quilts for Lutheran World Relief; and assisted in any other church projects that came up.

It was at First Lutheran of Astoria that she met and married the love of her final years, Nels Rasmussen, who survives her. She is also survived by five daughters and their families: Becky Colvin, Anna (Gary) Haley, Carol (Dave) Dennehy, Elaine (John) Carter, and Donna (Ed) Buganan; 4 step-children: Martha (Jon) Counts, Beth (Dave) Owen, Richard Rasmussen, and Ruth (David) Tompkins; 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be Friday, July 12, 2013, from 2:30-6:30 p.m., at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Funeral Home, 1165 Franklin Ave. Astoria. Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, July 13, 2013, 3 p.m. at First Lutheran Church of Astoria. Burial will be at Washington Memorial Park in Sea-Tac City, Washington.

Donations can be made to Hope House or Lutheran World Relief through First Lutheran of Astoria, 725 33rd St., Astoria, Oregon 97103.