Worthington, MN
     Donald Damian Basche, 80, was born on September 15, 1933, in Fulda, Minnesota the son of Henry and Kunigundia Basche. He grew up and attended school in Worthington, MN. Don attended Worthington Community College before serving in the U.S. Army and later attended North Dakota State University. He married Marcia Schissel on March 24, 1956.
     Don was a strong believer in the importance of education and in his lifetime has mentored many young adults. He had a caring attitude for those less fortunate and a value of the importance of the common good. He was a compassionate person to all he met and embraced the diversity of Worthington. His joy and passion was helping people, his family, his friends, his community, and all his past students and players. His vibrant personality was outshined only by his enormous heart, which was evident in his involvement with Hospice Cottage, Correction Board and his church, American Lutheran. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or an ear for counsel.
     Don approached everyday with gusto and a zest for life. He was an avid card player, sports fan, and hunter who loved the outdoors. Sheep were Don’s passion. His family has so many fun and loving memories with each other and friends. Don will remain in our hearts eternally and be forever loved and missed. Don died on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at the Sanford Worthington Medical Center in Worthington, MN.
     Don is survived by his family, who he loved dearly, and his loving wife of fifty-eight years; two children, Jeff (Julie) Basche, of Brooklyn Center, Teresa (Lynn) Tate, of Excelsior; one daughter-in-law, Lori, of Madison, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Alison (Kevin) Lieder, Samantha (Zeb) Anderson, Madeline Tate, Danielle Basche, Alexandra Basche, Hunter Basche, and Joseph Basche; two great grandchildren, Dylan and Morgan, and another great grandchild on the way; three sisters, Violet (Vernie) Pfingsten, of Fulda, Rose Onken, of Tracy, and Phyllis (Ervin) Brinkman, of Fulda; brothers and sisters-in-law, Terry Schissel, of Worthington, Nancy (Don) Kizershot, of Edina, Jim (Rose) Schissel, of Worthington, and Wanda Schissel, of Brooklyn Park; and many other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by one son, Scott Basche, his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and five brothers-in-law.
     Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., at the American Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN, with Pastor Bailey Fossum officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 11, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, July 12, 2014, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., all at the American Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sunset Hospice Cottage or American Lutheran Church in Worthington.
Benson Funeral Home in Worthington is in charge of the arrangements.
