Donald V Bassett

Graveside Memorial Services for Donald V. "Don" Bassett will be conducted at the Orleans Cemetery in Orleans, Nebraska on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Jamie Hattovy officiating and military honors provided by the Orleans Harold Morin Post #184 and the U.S. Army National Guard Military Honors Team.

Donald Vincent Bassett, 91 years of age, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Ridgecrest Hospital. Don was born on October 31, 1919 in Hastings, Nebraska one of ten children born to Arthur Lewis and Gladys Marie (Rynearson) Bassett. Don attended school at Hastings High School graduating with the class of 1938.

Most of his life was spent working as an accountant for civil service in which he excelled. His career took him to the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C; the Naval Ammunition Depot, Hastings, Nebraska; the Ordnance Laboratory, Corona, California; the accounting department at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California; the Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland; Subic Bay Naval Station, Philippine Islands; and was Accounting Division Head when he was at San Diego, California. While stationed at Subic Bay he helped refugees from Vietnam. His desire and ability to help those in great need was formally recognized by our government when he was at Subic Bay.

Don was inducted into the U.S. Army on August 20, 1943 and was honorably discharged on December 31, 1945. During his WWII service, Don served in the European Theater of Operations with the 47th Machine Records Unit attached to the 9th Army. He spent time in Germany, France, Holland and England along with four of his brothers who also served in the war in Europe. His service was something that Don was very proud of and also something he stated that really worried his mother. All five returned safely home at the end of the war.

In 1940 Don was united in marriage to Opal Jean Peterson and to this union, three children were born: Connie, Carole and Bill.

Don and Opal Jean retired to Ridgecrest in the 1980s to be close to their family and friends. He loved to bake and cook and often could be found cooking at 2:00 a.m. in the morning. Every year, all the family would be reated to homemade jellies at Christmas. He entered his jellies in our local fair and won first place! He was always building or repairing something at this home and was ready to take on any project.

Opal Jean preceded him in death in August 6, 2003. They were married for over sixty years.

Besides his parents, Don was also preceded in death by all of his brothers: Roger, La Vern, Robert, John "Jack," Harold, Howard and William Bassett (who died at birth).

He leaves to mourn his passing his three children: Connie Jackson of Torrance, California, Carole Cannon of Ridgecrest, and Bill Bassett of Ridgecrest; two sisters: Mary Helen Mazur of Tilton, New Hampshire, Dorese Willis of Rupert, Idaho; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation as the family has honored his wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.