Audrey Margaret Rasmussen

Audrey Margaret (Bartel) Rasmussen passed away peacefully in her home on April 17th 2026 surrounded by her family. Audrey was the last surviving sibling from a family of six, the second generation of the Bartels born in this country. Raised in Chicago at the dawn of the Great Depression, she learned wisdom and common sense from her parents, William and Margaret. She not only understood the meaning of humility, she lived it, always thinking of others before herself. When asked “How are you doing”, her answer was always “I’m grateful and full of gratitude.”

Audrey met Ralph Rasmussen, the love of her life, March of 1947 at the Club K Social and Dance Hall in Franksville, WI. They were married 6 months later. A union that would last 68 years until Ralph passed in 2016. Audrey was on the diving and synchronized swimming team during her high school years at Steinmetz High and loved the water from Lake Michigan to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Pickerel Lake, the Yacht Club pool along with many water parks and Wisconsin lakes in between.

Audrey was a skilled typist and stenographer, working for Racine Hydraulics and Racine Unified School District retiring as head secretary at Washington Park High School. She prided herself on her beautiful penmanship, teaching her grandchildren how to write in cursive. Audrey enjoyed cooking and baking. She was famous for her red ring mold, root beer cookies and banana bread made from Ralph’s backyard banana trees. Most everyone who visited left with a loaf.

Audrey is survived by her children Eric (Linda), James (Julie) and Laurie (Donald)(2023). Grandchildren, Andy (Erica), Michael, Brock, Derek (Camri) , DJ (Abbe) Audra & Jenna. Great Grandchildren, Savannah, Kaylen,Dominic & Baker.

A memorial service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church where Audrey was an active member. Audrey and her beloved Ralph will be laid to rest in the family cemetery in WI.