Sally Ann Rasmussen

A gentle woman has transitioned into eternity. Sally Ann Anderson Rasmussen, who passed away at age 92 from congestive heart failure on September 13, 2025, was born on March 10, 1933, the youngest of the four children of Agnes White and Charles Worth Anderson. Growing up in Salt Lake City, Mom made life-long friends, came to love playing the piano, learned impeccable grammar, developed a love of both chocolate and ice cream, and graduated from South High School in 1951; despite her adamant protestations to the contrary, convincing evidence suggests that Mom was the valedictorian of her class. After spending a year at Kansas University (she remained a Jayhawk for the rest of her life), Mom married, and was sealed to, L. Neil Rasmussen in the Salt Lake Temple on April 10, 1953. They had seven children, all of whom survive: Scott (Mary Ann), Howard (Liz), Bruce (Jessica), Lorraine (Alan) Thatcher, Clark (Mary), Dwight (Rebecca), and Jessica.They also hosted Vickie, a Navajo girl, for a number of years on the placement program. Being a mother was the greatest joy, the highest purpose, and the most rewarding undertaking of Mom’s life, as she poured all of her efforts and even more of her heart into raising us. She remained a loving, patient, forgiving, and occasionally quietly stern mother for the remainder of her life, acting as a moral compass to her children and as an example to all. Although Mom loved all of her children equally, she knew that Jessica – who was born with Down Syndrome – needed more than the rest of us, and we are grateful that Mom taught, comforted, protected, and played countless games of ‘Memory’ and ‘Sorry’ with Jessica until she was no longer physically able to do so.

Mom, Dad, and Jessica served in the California Anaheim Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1999-2002, where Dad and Mom presided and Jessica was everyone’s favorite older sister.

Family gatherings were highlights for Mom. She basked in the sociality, the kinship bonds, and even the high decibel levels of such events. For Mom, love was as much a sound as it was an emotion.

Mom possessed an abiding faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in her heavenly parents, and served in many callings over the years. She did not so much pray to her Savior, as have conversations with Him; those present during her prayers were often tempted to open their eyes, certain that they would see Christ attentively listening in the corner of the room.

In addition to her children, Mom is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and legions of friends. Mom was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters, brother, and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Brighton 7^th Ward, located at 2895 East Creek Road, Cottonwood Heights. All are welcome to share their appreciation of and for Mom by meeting with the family from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, September 18, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, and then again from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at the Chapel prior to the funeral. Those wishing to attend virtually can click on the above "Watch Services" button at the time of the funeral service (you must be signed in to a Zoom account to attend)

Our family is extremely grateful for the conscientious and compassionate care the staff at Sunrise of Sandy extended to Mom during the last several years of her life, as well as for the assistance of Solstice Home Health And Hospice in Mom’s final days.