Wanda Kay (Johnston) Rasmussen, age 64, was born in Miles City, Montana, on March 23, 1954, to Frank and Emma Johnston. She passed away unexpectedly on December 29, 2018, with her family by her side.

Wanda was the second of seven children and while the other kids were sneaking out, Wanda would stay home and often squeal on her siblings for their wrong doing. Wanda was an active member of the Girl Scouts, from a Brownie in her youth and on up to a leader as an adult. She always had a love for music. She would often have gatherings where she would play numerous instruments such as the piano, clarinet, flute, accordion, and saxophone. Wanda graduated from Custer County High School and attended classes at Miles Community College towards her Nursing degree. She worked at Friendship Villa Nursing Home in Miles City as a Nurses Aide and Physical Therapy Aide for quite a few years and then as a Dispatcher at Miles City Cab for years after that.

In 1976, she was swept off her feet by a significantly older gentleman, Lloyd “Bud” Rasmussen. They dated for three years and on May 29, 1979 he asked her to move in with him to a little house in Miles City. Bud and Wanda lived together for sixteen years. In 1989 they moved from Miles City to Dagmar, MT, living on the Christiansen Farm to help care for his brother-in-law, Ray. Bud and Wanda married June 5, 1995 and really enjoyed their time together. In 1996, they moved to Grenora, North Dakota and rented until the purchase of their home in 2001.

Wanda had a deep love for her Grenora community and took part in everything it had to offer. She was the Accompanist and an active member of the church. She was the President of Today’s Women and participated in the great Pie Auction that is held every year. She took great joy in spending time with her neighbors and her “extended” Grenora family. She had a standing date every year to watch the Mrs. America Pageant with her good friend Barb. Wanda loved to cook and was great at it. Her and sister Marla had a date to make Lefsa and Krumkake every year as well. She loved hanging out with her grandkids, nieces, and nephews, always teaching them something about music or showing them how to bake.

Wanda is survived by sister Marla Malley; and two brother’s Kevin (Mary) Johnston, and Lowell Johnston; son, Jack Rasmussen, grandsons, Brandon and Tyson; daughter, Denise (Tom) Kane, and grandchildren, Paula (Jon) Syring and Cassidy and Shaylee, Lindsay (Eric) Woodin and Myiah, Alex and Eleanor, Tanner (Chris) Scheigert and Madison and Elizabeth; son, Wade (Connie) Rasmussen and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her husband Lloyd “Bud” Rasmussen; mother and father Emma and Frank Johnston; and sisters, Brenda Johnston, Charla Johnston, and Carla (Johnston) Ferris.