Virginia Welker Bogan Rasmussen

1920 - 2015

Virginia Welker Bogan Rasmussen

On July 21, 2015 we lost our warm, beautiful and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend when Virginia Rasmussen passed away at the age of 94. Born to George and Grace Welker in Tacoma on December 27, 1920, Virginia was an only child who always longed to be part of a big family. Virginia spent her childhood in Tacoma, attended Stadium High School, and remained close throughout her lifetime with many of her childhood friends. In 1941 she married Keith Bogan, and they raised 3 daughters in Tacoma, Bellevue and then Indianapolis. Several years after Keith passed away, Virginia fell in love with a dear family friend, Donald Rasmussen of Portland, Oregon, and they were happily married for 21 years until he passed away in 2006. Don was a widower with 4 children, and Virginia loved being the matriarch of her new, large blended family. With her beautiful smile and notoriously chic style, she welcomed friends and family to their home, her attitude being "The more the merrier!". Virginia was never happier than when she was surrounded by generations of family; chatting poolside, sitting around her Christmas table or gathering to watch Jeopardy or a Seahawks game on television.

In addition to Keith Bogan and Don Rasmussen, Virginia was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara McLain (Robert) and stepson Bud Rasmussen (Kim). She is survived by daughters Susan Bogan (Stanley Kravitz) and Gigi Steinbock (Steven) as well as stepchildren Greg Rasmussen (Jan), Ann Maher (Jay) and Janet Ferris (Stephen). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren who were proud to call her "Gram" and 15 great grandchildren.

How lucky we all were to be part of the "big family" of which she was so proud!

She will be greatly missed.

Donations in Virginia's memory may be made to ASPCA, Alzheimer's Assoc, or any cancer charity. Family will gather at a later date to celebrate her life.