Edith (Brunson) Rasmussen

Edith Rasmussen, age 96, of Kalamazoo passed away June 22, 2023 at Meilland Square of Heritage Community of Kalamazoo. She was born March 27, 1927 in St. Francis, Kansas, the fourth-born child of E. Bruce and Alice (Jones) Brunson.

Edith (or Edie) grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas. She graduated from Park College in Parkville, Missouri and then attended McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois where she obtained her master's degree in Christian Education. It was there she met her future husband, Bob Rasmussen. They married on December 29, 1954. She was the epitome of a supportive pastor's wife, serving in ministry at Clement Presbyterian Church in Cicero, Illinois; Colcord Presbyterian Church in Colcord, West Virginia; North Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo; CCAP in Blantyre, Malawi, Africa; and Pine Island Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo.

Edith loved her family who all were extremely important in her life. She was a terrific, supportive, and encouraging wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, & aunt. She had a contagious radiant smile that was uplifting to everyone she met.

Her welcoming, hospitable personality and love for cooking made others feel cared for and accepted. She loved going to church and Easter was her favorite day of the year. She had many friends who found her accepting, loving, authentic, and a wonderful example of God's attitude toward us.

She had a passion for teaching which included teaching kindergarten in Colcord, West Virginia, being a teacher's aide for 20 years at the Loy Norrix High School's daycare center, and teaching high school students in Malawi, Africa.

She was a True Blue University of Michigan Wolverines fan and enthusiastically attended or watched as many games as she could. She loved family vacations and family get-togethers and traveling with her husband Bob. She was brave, adventurous, and not afraid to try new things. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church Kalamazoo, PEO Chapter EZ, a dedicated volunteer at Ministry with Community, and committed to social justice and mission outreach.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2018; daughter, Mary Rasmussen-Hall in 2023; sister Virginia Leever; and brother Bob Brunson.

She is survived by her daughter, Grace (Mark) Cook of Schoolcraft; son, John Rasmussen of Jackson; son, James (Florence Chen) Rasmussen of Toronto; son-in-law, Brent Hall of Pinckney; seven grandchildren, Helen (Brady) Weaver, Robert (Sharon) Bradford, John Bradford (Josalyn Kiplinger), Helen Salisbury, Mary Rebecca Miedema, Natalie Salisbury, and Matthew Rasmussen; and six great-grandchildren, RJ and Dylan Davis, Taye and Jadyn Bradford, and Harper Grace and Holland Bradford; brother Richard (Rusty) Brunson; and nine nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Monday, July 10 at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo, 321 W South St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, followed by time for food and fellowship.

Contributions in Edith’s memory may be made to the Pine Island Chapel Fund at Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church or Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan).

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com .