Joshua Peter Rasmussen

Joshua “Josh” Peter Rasmussen (1981-2023), took his final breaths peacefully in the early morning hours of September 6, 2023, surrounded by family in his beloved home. Diagnosed with late-stage cancer in the summer of 2022, the last year of Josh’s life wasn’t the easiest, but it has been one of the most profound. With strong and always stubborn spirits, despite the challenging days, Josh made the most of every moment he had left. The first 42 years is the Josh we choose to remember and reflect upon. His often-shy demeanor, but never-wavering heart of gold, is what we love and will always make us smile.

Josh was born to Pamela (Raduege) Wiedmeyer and Peter C. Rasmussen in Waukesha, Wis. on May 26, 1981. Growing up on a large plot of land in Stone Bank, Wisconsin, was both a blessing and curse for his parents. Josh had plentiful opportunities to seek his own adventures, which certainly included some mischief along the way. When he wasn’t playfully terrorizing his younger brother, Adam, you couldn’t keep Josh off any kind of mechanical toy. Be it in a muscle car or on a motorcycle or snowmobile, Josh wanted to go (although always too fast for his mother!), and rarely could anyone stop him.

Josh took his mechanically inclined brain and put it to good use, earning a degree from Madison Area Technical College (MATC). Josh met his wife, Samantha Leigh Topliff, on September 29, 2011. They were married in Elgin, Illinois, on May 28, 2017, in the home they built together, followed by the life they built together. On December 3, 2020, they were blessed with their greatest gift of all, their son Benjamin Asher.

Throughout his life, Josh worked in a number of different roles until finding his home with Brown’s Medical Imaging in December of 2020, where he worked as a Refurbishment Technician, reconditioning CT and MRI equipment. He enjoyed his work, but even more so, the lasting friendships he found with his co-workers, who continued to respect and cherish him through to the end. Josh’s unending hope, and even certainty, that he would return to his work, often sustained him through some of his most difficult days.

Josh leaves behind an abundance of loved ones: his wife Samantha and their son Benjamin, mother Pamela (Kenneth), father Peter (Karen), brother Adam (Kelly) and many step-siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, and caring family members inherited through the blessing of marriage.

It is Benjamin, his son, who carries Josh’s wild spirit, loving heart, and charming nature that will serve as a continuing reminder of Josh in our day-to-day lives. A piece of Josh will always be with, and in, his son; for that we are blessed.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the excellent care Josh received from Dr. Robert Marsh and his talented and compassionate team at NorthShore University Health System - Kellogg Cancer Center at Glenbrook Hospital in Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Cal’s Angels, a non-profit organization in St. Charles, Illinois, whose mission is granting wishes, raising awareness, and funding research to help children fight cancer. This organization has provided unending financial and emotional support to Josh and his family and continues to do so today. Their website can be found at www.calsangels.org

Visitation will be at St. Charles Catholic Church in Hartland, Wisconsin, on September 27, 2023, from 3 to 5 pm, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 5 pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at Water Street Brewery Lake Country in Delafield. A private burial is planned for September 28, 2023, at Genesee Cemetery in Genesee Village, Wisconsin.

Pagenkopf Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 262-567-4457 or visit www.pagenkopf.com