WHS grad’s daughter, only 16, dies of drowning

Molly Rasmussen, daughter of Wayland High School graduate Cindi Medendorp Rasmussen, died of drowning in Lake Bella Vista Tuesday night.

Molly Rasmussen, 16, who had just completed her sophomore year at Forest Hills Eastern High School, was swimming with friends when she went under the water and did not surface. Kent County Sheriff’s Office dive team retrieved her, but she did not respond to efforts to revive her.

Molly made local news not long ago when she completed a cross-country race for the Hawks despite suffering from an epileptic seizure. She was diagnosed with the disease when she was in second grade and occasionally has struggled with its effects.

Molly’s grandmother was the late Joan Medendorp. Her mother has been a huge athletic booster at Forest Hills Eastern, as has her father, Mark.

Her grandfather, former State Trooper Larry Medendorp, was public safety director at Wayland and he lives at Gun Lake.

There will be a candlelight vigil for Molly at 9 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at Forest Hills Eastern High School.