Ken Bassett Death, Obituary Not Available – Ken Bassett, the paternal figure, peacefully departed from his earthly existence within the confines of his residence yesterday evening, at the ripe age of 95, just a month shy of his 96th birthday. He had been experiencing worsening health issues for over three years, including dementia and complications arising from congestive heart failure. Fortunately, my brother Craig and I, who both live in Winterset, were able to provide daily care for him. As a result, he was able to maintain his residence at home, which was his preferred location. Home health and hospice care were also able to aid him in this undertaking.
There were occasions when my father was greatly distressed by his awareness of the decline in his health and memory. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Air Force. He was born on October 3, 1938, to Kenneth Arthur and Frances Louise Bassett, and he grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. Following his training in Texas, he was sent to Biloxi, Mississippi, where he enrolled in school and secured employment in the field of flight pattern replication. Afterwards, he spent the following 18 months stationed in Libya, a country situated in North Africa. Ken married Lucretia “Crete” A. (Ramp) Bassett on December 20, 1987.
During his youth, Ken worked as a volunteer firefighter in the Indian Heights communities. The individual excelled in the sport of bowling, achieving a remarkable score of 299 in a single game and an impressive series score of 700. He possessed the skill of bowling. He possessed an ardent enthusiasm for golf, football, and NASCAR.
After his retirement in 1995, he enthusiastically looked forward to visiting Las Vegas and took great pleasure in frequenting casinos in the nearby vicinity. He consistently believed that he would achieve great success. Furthermore, he commenced singing and derived enjoyment from regularly attending musical events, where he showcased his talent by playing solos during church services every Sunday.
He was a swift-moving member of the Eagles. He meticulously tended to his yard and had high standards for its upkeep. As the designated meteorologist of the household, his duty was to inform everyone of upcoming adverse weather conditions. He often visited the Calvary Baptist church. The duration he allocated to his family and leisure activities was something he deeply valued. The basis of his pride consistently resided in his daughters.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Lucretia “Crete” Bassett, his daughters Pamela Sue Keller, Patricia (Dave) Bassett Rhodes, and Rebecca Lynn (Jimmy) Crone, his bonus daughters Kim Henderson, Sandra (Rod) Absher, and Hannah (Josh) Wiebusch (who is more like a daughter than a granddaughter), his sister Marianne (John) Gillem, the mother of his children Martha Sue Ellison, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The personnel of Heartland Hospice, consisting of Dr. Sherri Nuss, Sabrina Brooks, Tammy Tropf, Andrew Winey, and Derico Young, merit commendation for their valuable services.
On the other hand, he was an emotionally reserved person who predominantly concealed his emotions. Conversely, there were instances when he willingly displayed vulnerability in our presence and openly conveyed his emotions. Those were crucial moments of emotional need, and we are grateful that he had enough confidence in us to confide in us, even if it was only briefly and not very often.
We observed the physical agony that his body experienced, and we can only speculate that it requires a someone of immense fortitude to persist in their daily activities as he did. Furthermore, he endured the consequences of his declining mobility and other challenges, nevertheless he persevered with determination, resolved to continue walking as long as his physical condition permitted, in order to achieve his goal.
