Judith Annette Farish Rasmussen

Judith Annette Rasmussen was a beloved mother, wife, grandmother, and a cherished member of the community. She passed away peacefully on November 5, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and kindness that will continue to inspire those who knew her.

Born on April 19th, 1939, in Great Falls, Montana, to William Pendleton Farish and Hazel Cecilia Carlson, Judy was the oldest child of three children. As a young girl, Judy learned the skills of sewing, embroidery, and crocheting. She made many of her clothes on a treadle sewing machine. She recalls one of her happiest childhood memories was receiving a piano from her parents at the age of 10 which instilled in her a great love for music. Judy also had a competitive spirit and loved playing sports and games, excelling at many. Judy graduated from East High and went on to attend classes at the University of Utah.

In her young married life, Judy worked at the University of Utah as an administrative assistant while also starting her family. She was blessed to have children and despite the painful loss of her first child Stephan, went on to have six more children. She was a dedicated and loving mother which was always her greatest passion. She established homes in various locations throughout the country including Illinois, Virginia, New York, and Southern California before settling back in Utah. She was a gourmet cook, regularly crafting warm, delicious meals and a welcoming environment for her family and also to entertain her dear friends. She was an avid gardener and created beautiful centerpieces that adorned her home. Her love of sewing continued and throughout the years, she sewed dresses for her daughters and creative Halloween costumes for all her children. She could also be found knitting and doing needlepoint. She made birthdays special often with custom homemade cakes and dinners based on their requests. Judy created magical holiday traditions with her food, décor, and thoughtful gifts. Her love language was sharing these gifts with family and friends. She was known for her homemade banana pies, bread, lemon ice cream, and tasty dinners which she was always happy to share. Judy was a gifted watercolor artist, spending hours painting beautiful landscapes, flowers, and portraits of some of her grandchildren as well. Her love of recreation and the outdoors continued with gardening, hiking, tennis, and golf and she loved her trips to Lake Powell with family. She adored animals and welcomed cats and dogs into her home and heart, imparting a love for animals in her children. Judy was an active and enduring member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in many organizations and singing in the Church choir. She particularly loved serving with the young women and primary children. Her love for music and the arts instilled a love for music in each of her children as well. Judy was also a member of the Symphony Guild.

Later in life, Judy returned to work as a customer service representative at Key Bank, where she was valued for her exceptional service and work ethic. Her life took a romantic turn when she met Jack Rasmussen, a successful dentist whose charm was irresistible. They soon married and enjoyed 22 years traveling the world together, vacationing with family and friends, visiting with and supporting grandkids at their various events, playing golf, dancing, and singing in the church choir together. She treasured the mission they served together in the inner city of Salt Lake, where they served for over 5 years.

Judy cherished and maintained her lifelong friendships and loved engaging in various social gatherings to foster these relationships. She attended book clubs, traveled with friends, golfed, played tennis and card games, and scheduled regular lunches and events to build and continue those connections. These friendships were invaluable to her and a source of happiness, service, and strength throughout her life.

Judy’s legacy is her family. A dedicated mother of seven, grandmother of 14, and great-grandmother of 19, Judy is deeply loved for the wonderful memories she created with all of them. Trips to Sugarhouse or Liberty Park, swimming, and excursions to “Shivers” to get hamburgers and shakes are some of the favorites of her grandkids. On many of her grandchildren’s birthdays, she would treat them to a Red Balloon visit to pick out a special gift, which they looked forward to every year. Judy even helped care for some of her grandchildren for several years, which they remember with great fondness. This is where Judy found her greatest joy, spending time with and serving her family. Her life has been defined by her service, compassion, and generosity. A friend to everyone, she continually worked to find those in need and serve them in whatever capacity was necessary. Her heartfelt commitment to service extended beyond her family to all those she encountered, and this generous spirit will be an unforgettable part of her legacy.

Judy is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Karl Rasmussen, her father and mother, brother Rik, sister Suzy, and her son, Stephan. She is survived by her children; Scott (Peggy) Fisher, Kelly (Steve) Taylor, Becky (Shane) Hawkins, Jenny (Jason) Juhlin, Amy (Dave) Krug, and Katie Gordon Park, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Saturday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held before the funeral from 9:30-10:45 a.m. for friends and family. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens. For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via the link above. We are very grateful for the care she received at the end of her life and thank the many individuals who attended to her with loving, tender care.