ASTRID RASMUSSEN (TORGERSEN)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ASTRID RASMUSSEN (nee TORGERSEN) October 5, 1915 - June 16, 2000 With deep sadness, we announce the peaceful but unexpected passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Astrid Rasmussen, on her granddaughter Kims birthday, June 16, 2000 with her daughters and granddaughter by her side. Our mom was the third of four children born in , Norway to Anna and Ingvald Torgersen. She immigrated to Winnipeg in 1950 and lived here the balance of her life. Her homeland and her Norwegian heritage were her passion and her pride for her entire life. She maintained close contact with her family and friends in Stavanger, travelling to Norway or entertaining them in Canada on numerous occasions over the years. She met and married Almar Rasmussen in 1951 and they moved to St. Vital where they raised their family. She was predeceased by her husband in 1984, her parents, Anna (1953) and Ingvald (1964), her brothers Alf (1989), Odd (1996), her sister Erna Opstad (1996) and brother-in-law, Ernie Opstad (1997). She leaves to cherish her memory, her three children, son Leif Rasmussen and his wife Joan, daughters Linda Wilton and husband Bruce and Janet Tremblay and husband Ron. Nanny will also be missed by her 11 grandchildren who were so close to her heart: Karen, Joanne and Lisa Rasmussen, Stephen, Carolyn, Kim and Richard Wilton, Cory Allen, Patrick Smale, Kaitlyn and Ashley Tremblay. Also left to mourn her death are her sisters-in-law, Eli Torgersen and Tordis Torgersen of Stavanger, niece Joyce Heibert and her children Donna McCartney and David Stanko, all of Winnipeg, as well as numerous other relatives in Canada and Norway. Mom was a life long member of the Lutheran Church and had been a member at Faith Lutheran since 1987. She lived at Faiths Kirchhoff Gardens for almost 10 years before her ongoing battle with stroke made it difficult for her to live independently and she moved in with her daughter Linda and her family in April 1999. She cherished the wonderful times and the many friendships she made over the years. She loved to travel and she loved to gamble so she particularly enjoyed the jaunts to various casinos across the border. She was an avid Whist player and lucky at Bingo and she rarely missed those weekly events at Kirchhoff. She loved to read and she rarely missed her soap operas, an activity she enjoyed until the day she died. Thank you to Home Care for making it possible to allow our mom to remain at home. Thanks in particular to Wendy, moms home care worker, for your care and devotion the past two months. Special thank you to Bernice Feeney for your visits and your friendship which mom so appreciated. Special thanks also to Melody Kurz from Faith Lutheran. Your unending support and persistently cheerful optimism could make mom laugh, long after your visits had ended. Thanks to Pastor Larry and Pastor Tim for your visits and support and to everyone who touched her life over these past four difficult years. A service of remembrance celebrating our moms and Nannys life will be held on Tuesday, June 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1311 Dakota Street with Pastor Larry Ulrich officiating. According to her wishes cremation has taken place. The service will terminate at the church with a reception to follow. Flowers gratefully declined. If friends desire, donations may be made in Astrids memory to Faith Lutheran Church - Faith Foundation. 1311 Dakota Street, R2N 1V8, to go toward the interior development of Faiths new personal care home, being built in south St. Vital. Thank you, dearest mom and Nanny, for the years you gave us and the times we shared. We only pray that when you left us so suddenly, you knew how much we loved you and cared for you. It was a pleasure knowing you. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 MAIN ST. 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 18, 2000