MADISON - Mary Margaret (Waselchuk) Rasmussen died on October 9, 2025, at her home in Madison. She was 68.

Mary was born on December 1, 1956, in Green Bay. She was the daughter of Patricia (Martens) Waselchuk and Dan Waselchuk. Mary graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Green Bay in 1975 and went on to receive a B.A. degree in Music from the University of Wisconsin in Whitewater in 1978. She was an accomplished pianist and, after graduating, re-enrolled to study abroad in Reims, France.

In 1979, Mary married David Rasmussen of Racine. They settled in Elk Grove Village, Ill., in 1981 and moved to Madison in 1991.

Mary was a dedicated elementary music teacher in the Madison School District from 1996 to 2017. She was an active member of Madison Teachers Inc. and earned a Master of Education from Viterbo University in 2006. Mary’s passion as a music teacher was obvious and she loved to share music from around the world with her students. Her favorite project was creating an extracurricular marimba band.

Mary was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2018. After her diagnosis, Mary helped produce an annual Art Sale, a fundraiser for the More for Stage IV Fund at the Carbone Cancer Center. Over the years she was involved, the Art Sale raised tens of thousands of dollars for metastatic breast cancer research.

Since 2020, Mary spent much of her time cultivating the beautiful gardens at her daughter’s winery, American Wine Project, in Mineral Point.

Mary most loved spending time with her kids and grandkids, and her large and loving extended family. Throughout her adult life, Mary expressed her love through cross stitch. She was a prolific craft artist, making intricate pieces for loved ones to honor important moments in their lives.

Mary is survived by her husband, David Rasmussen; her children, Erin Rasmussen (Matt Poole), Daniel Rasmussen (Jessica Howard) and Amy Rasmussen; and her grandchildren, Dennis and Madelyn. Mary is also survived by eight wonderful siblings, an even larger number of in-laws, and too many nieces and nephews to list here.

Mary’s family is deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the UW Hospital and the Carbone Cancer Center at UW Madison.

A Celebration of Life will be held at OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Light food and drink will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Carbone Cancer Center's More for Stage IV Fund.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 Eighth St.

(608) 437-5077

Mary M Rasmussen

December 01, 1956 - October 09, 2025

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