Blanchardville - Barbara Rasmussen Kerwin passed on to the next step on 16 April 2012. Born May 6, 1939, to J. Ellen & J. Homer Rasmussen in Dodgeville, WI, and raised in Mineral Point, WI. She attended Mineral Point Schools and graduated in 1957. Pursuing a career in health care, she graduated from St Mary's School of Nursing in 1960 in the old 3 year Diploma program. In 1964, she married Robert J Kerwin and they had 48 happy years, raising 4 perfect children, community activities, and working as an RN. Community activities included helping start the co-op nursery school in Sun Prairie, garden club, Brownie scout leader, charter member of Sun Prairie EMS, hockey mom and whatever came along. Most work was at her beloved St Mary's, with the Operating Room being the favorite area. She retired in 2001 after 31 years at St Mary's!! In the last years since retirement hobbies included lots of gardening, sewing many quilts, and travel. In 2003, Bob & Barb decided to build the perfect house to enjoy retirement in Green county rural area and it was great for all those hobbies.

She is survived by her husband, Robert, sons, Christopher (Jennifer) of MD., Robert Jr. of MI, and daughters, Dr. Lisa Kerwin (DVM) of WI, & Suellen Picha, RN (John) of IL and one wonderful grandson, Jacob Kerwin of MD, who called his grandma, "Bubbette". Also survived by mother, J. Ellen Rasmussen, sisters Tama Foust, Toni Piecynski (Irv), and Mark (Alys) Rasmussen and numerous nieces and nephews and the greatest family of Kerwin in-laws ever.

She was preceded in death by her father, J. Homer Rasmussen in 1974 and sister, Carol in 1994.

A Celebration of Barbara's Life will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the GORGEN FUNERAL HOME in Mineral Point. A luncheon will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Center.

Special thanks to St Mary's oncology unit, Dean oncology team, the Turville Bay radiation facility and Uplands Hills Hospital and Hospice Care.