Mary Kay Rasmussen

A Toast to a Life Well Lived

Celebrating the joyous life of Mary Kay Rasmussen

Defying all medical odds for as long as she could, Mary Kay Rasmussen passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 82 in Des Moines, Iowa. She died the way she lived: Peacefully and on her own terms.

Mary Kay was born Mary Catherine Brennan in the summer of 1943. She was the youngest of three daughters born in Skokie, Illinois to John and Clara Brennan. She often shared her fond memories of growing up in Prospect Heights, especially the joys of winters spent skating on the frozen slough that neighbored her childhood home.

Mary Kay was a member of the first graduating class of Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette and spent a year at St. Louis University before returning to the Greater Chicago area to begin her professional career, which lasted more than 58 years, primarily as a bookkeeper.

At 20, she met Bud Rasmussen, whom she married two years later. Their family started a year later, and they raised two daughters, whom she loved more than anything else. The only greater reward in life than her girls was her grandson.

Mary Kay was quick to laugh, easy to befriend, and loyal to those she loved. Her smile will always be remembered along with her genuine kindness. Her hobbies included feeding friends and family - her signature dishes will be missed, as even shared recipes lack the Mary Kay panache. She was also well known for her unwavering support of the Florida Gators, which was loud and proud. She was often revered for her ability to craft flavorful martinis, from Cosmos to Blueberry, and many will be raised soon in her honor.

A celebration of her beautiful Irish life is being planned by her family, which will be held in her long-time home of Sarasota, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, George "Bud" Rasmussen, who has been patiently waiting 32 years to share all the great jokes everyone knows he's been collecting since he passed, as well as: her parents, John and Clara Brennan; her in-laws, George Sr. and Mary Rasmussen; her favorite aunt Gen Noesen; her nephew and godson Jon Druhot; and her husband's aunt Mary Langley, who always felt like her own blood.

Mary Kay is survived by her two daughters, Carrie Rasmussen and Stacie Blaney (Michael), her grandson Sean, her sisters Carol Druhot (Ken, deceased) and Rainy Glowack (Jim), four nieces and two nephews along with their spouses and children, as well as the family she chose: Kirk McVey, Todd Kolbe, Mary B. Sellers, Heather and Rob Bourgette, and Carmen Boroughf, who served as her maid of honor all those years ago and remained a wonderful part of her life since. The list of cherished friends is too long to list here, but also held dear.

Everyone who met her loved her instantly, and her memory will forever be imprinted on those lucky enough to call her a loved one, but her presence will always be missed.