Vernelle Rasmussen

In Loving Memory of Vernelle Rasmussen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, nurse, and mentor.
Norma "Vernelle" (Hunter) Rasmussen was born on November 18, 1928, in Coushatta, Louisiana, to William and Chlotielde Hunter, the eldest of five children. She graduated from Louisiana College with degrees in speech and education and a minor in Bible. She later attended Golden Gate Seminary and completed her nursing degree at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
From a young age, Vernelle made Jesus the Lord of her life, and His guidance shaped her every step. She had a deep heart for people - always extending grace, second chances, and truth in love. One of her favorite sayings was "Only one life, 'twill soon be passed, only what is done for Christ will last," and she sought to do what mattered for eternity.
On April 8, 1955, Vernelle married the love of her life, Dwayne Ronald Rasmussen. They celebrated 70 years of marriage this past year, and together raised six children who were very blessed to call her "Mom."
Vernelle's professional life reflected her servant's heart. As a registered nurse, she worked in hospitals in California and Minnesota and served as a school nurse during her children's growing up years. She briefly taught math, counseled junior high students, and volunteered in countless other ways, including helping Dwayne establish the St. Croix Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center in Osceola in 1985. Vernelle worked in the office, counseling the girls who came in for help. Her intelligence, integrity, compassion, and generosity touched many, and she truly let God's love flow through her.
Creative and resourceful, Vernelle found time to make beauty. She sewed stunning quilts for each of her grandchildren and tended a colorful flower garden that she shared freely with friends. She used pieces of her own wedding dress to make ring bearer pillows for all of her granddaughters.
Known for her hospitality, her home was always open, welcoming both friends and strangers alike. "There's always room for one more" and "The door is always open" were not just phrases she said, but the way she lived. Vernelle prepared full course meals and made extra, especially on Sundays, to invite someone to share it with, either from church or whomever she felt the Lord bring across her path. She was flexible with last minutes changes, and she was always the last one to sit down, putting others before herself. She and Dwayne took people in, and their home has been home to many through their love, care, and nurture. She loved her grandchildren very much and spent time teaching them all she knew about homemaking and faith.
Above all, her love for Jesus was her greatest priority. She lived by faith, knelt to pray, studied her Bible, served others joyfully, and trusted God's sovereignty in every season.
In her own words: "When I feel concerned about what is happening in the world, I remember that God is ultimately in charge. He has given us His Word to guide us and promised that nothing will come to us that we cannot bear with His help. What is important is not how long we live, but what provision we have made for eternity. I hope we will all be together in eternity."
Grateful to have shared her life are her husband of 70 years, Dwayne, her sons Dwight (Carlotta), Paul (Laura), Odrey (Alona), daughters Bonnie, Lorna, and Julie and her brother Ed. Her legacy continues with 18 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, two brothers, and her son-in-law, Mark.
Her Christian life was an inspiration to all who knew her and the legacy and impact of her 97 years can never be fully known.