Amanda B. Rasmussen

Amanda Blair Rasmussen, 34, was born into eternal life on Monday, August 4, surrounded by her loving family at the Center for Hospice Care Raclin House in Mishawaka, Indiana. She was born in Chicago on May 25, 1991, to Robert and Maureen (O’Grady) Rasmussen. She grew up in Naperville, Illinois until age ten, then lived in Springfield, Illinois for several years, and enjoyed fifteen years living in sunny Florida before moving to South Bend in 2020. Since then, she happily resided in a Logan Center group home and attended Logan’s day program.

Amanda loved spending time with family and friends–going for walks, sharing a meal, shopping and watching her favorite videos. She also enjoyed music, dancing, coloring, crafts, and always had room for chocolate. Although she did not communicate in traditional ways, Amanda was gifted at building relationships and endearing herself to others. She was a light to her many teachers, caregivers, doctors and nurses over the years with her bright smile, silly sense of humor and endless supply of hugs and high-fives.  

Amanda endured many developmental and medical challenges throughout her life, and through each she was a witness of strength, resilience and unconditional love. Her tough yet sweet spirit came through whether she was healthy or sick, at home or in school, with family or caregivers. Amanda showed us all the very nature of faith, hope and love–and how to persist in these virtues through suffering.

Amanda was preceded in death by her grandparents, Andrew and Beverly Rasmussen, and Daniel and Mary Jane O’Grady; her uncles, Gerald O’Grady, Paul O’Grady and Jay Rasmussen. She is survived by her parents; sister Sarah (Chuck) Lamphier; brother Andrew  Rasmussen; nephews Matthew and John Lamphier; niece Mary Lamphier; aunts Mary Lou O’Grady, Kathleen O’Grady, Eileen Marren O’Grady, Barbara Korbet O’Grady, Margaret O’Grady, Eileen McGrath O’Grady, Marlene Rasmussen, Trish Rasmussen; and uncles Daniel O’Grady and Robert O’Grady. 

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 16 from 9-10am at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive in South Bend. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 State Hwy 933 in South Bend. A  luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Logan Center (https://www.logancenter.org) or Center for Hospice Care (https://cfhcare.org).

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