Wayne G. Rasmussen

Long time Woodbridge resident and dentist Wayne Garth Rasmussen, 77, passed away at home on May 21, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Brigham City, Utah, the eldest child to Garth Bernard and Rae Petersen Rasmussen. As the child of a military family, he lived in several places in the United States, Guam, and Newfoundland. He graduated from high school in Lincoln, Nebraska; attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; and returned to Lincoln to earn his doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. Wayne had a rewarding career practicing dentistry for 39 years, 35 of which were in northern Virginia. Throughout his career he found great satisfaction working with his staff and patients. Wayne married the love of his life, Susan Hatch, in 1968. Their union was blessed with six children: Debbie, Brett, Angela, Ben, Kevin, and Janna. Foundational to Wayne’s life was a profound religious faith. As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a mission in Argentina as a young man. Throughout his life, he held many positions of service and leadership. Later in life, he and Susan served a mission in the Santiago, Chile Temple. Wayne lead a life of optimism, playfulness, and good humor. He loved music and often whistled or sang to himself or to anyone present. He sang in and conducted choirs, played guitar and banjo, wrote songs for his family, and helped to instill an enduring love of music in each of his children. He loved to learn, read, travel, and experience as much of life as he could. He was adventurous and enjoyed skiing, scuba diving, boating, and flying small planes. He delighted in these things most when he did them with those he loved. All knew Wayne as a kind, loving, and steady man. He saw the best in others, accepted them as they were, and experienced joy and pride seeing them succeed. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Garth and Rae; his daughter Angela; and his granddaughter Melinda Bastian. He is survived by his wife, Susan; children Debbie Roderick (Kevin), Brett Rasmussen, Ben Rasmussen (Cyndi), Kevin Rasmussen, and Janna Emanuel (Michael); siblings Steve Rasmussen (Verona), Cheya Weber (Myke), Mark Rasmussen, Susan Merrell, Shaneen Mangum, and Greg Rasmussen (Jenni Lou); 11 grandchildren; 5 greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who adored him. He once wrote, “Life is fullest when there is love expressed and received.” By his own definition, Wayne’s life was full. The family will receive visitors Sunday, May 29, 2022 from 5-7PM at Miller Funeral Home, 3200 Golansky Blvd., Woodbridge, VA 22192. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3718 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge. Interment will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at Bacon Race Cemetery at 11AM.

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Wayne G. Rasmussen

May 21, 2022