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- Sims Funeral Home
Shirley Marie Senn Bassett (Picture included)
(August 4, 1938 ? January 20, 2017)
Shirley Marie Senn was born on August 4th, 1938 to Anthony and Leona Senn and raised in Montana. She told us her parents were German immigrants who spoke broken English, as a result she was her parents interpreter. She met Albert H. Gandenberger and they were married on August 21st, 1955 in Missoula Montana. Together they had 5 children, Michael Gene, Raymond Wyatt, Arvin Lloyd, Lynda Lee and William Wesley ? Billy. During their life together they lived in many places in Montana and Idaho; they were later divorced while living in Lava Hot Springs. Her life took her on many adventures spanning a few states and years, but ultimately she ended up back in Lava Hot Springs.
Mom lived in and loved Lava Hot Springs for many years. She worked as a CNA at the Lava Convalescent Home during the day and as a waitress at the Red Vest Restaurant Lounge at night to provide for her family. Eventually she migrated over the hill to Soda Springs, where she took over the manager position at Stockman?s Lounge (it was nice then, no cussing allowed lol) for Ray and Molly Stephens. She was an excellent mixologisit aka bar tender. It was here she met the love her life Alma, Almy, Bassett. She would tell us stories of how Almy would hang around until she got off work at 1 am just to make sure she got home safely. Mom was an excellent pool player and Almy would place a quarter on the table to get her to play. Together they won many pool tournaments.
Almy and Mom were married December6, 1975 in Pocatello Idaho before the Justice of the Peace. Almy surprised mom with her first cat, a beautiful Blue Persian named Spunky. This was the beginning of Mom?s love of cats; she had at least one call at all times for the remainder of her life. Within the next 2 years all of her children would also migrate to Soda to be with her and Almy. Shirley was an amazing cook! She could cook an array of food, but was especially known for her good ol? fashion home style cookin; Italian, her homemade Spaghetti was amazing; her Mexican, especially her chicken enchiladas, which were to die for! There was never a bad meal in Shirley?s kitchen. She loved canning her own salsa, spaghettis sauce and choke cherry syrup, all which were everyone?s favorites. Mom?s cooking was also a big part of the hunting adventures that happened in October. She cooked and bake non-stop for an entire week in preparation of the next week of Hunting Camp. Almy?s friends came from far to hunt and have Mom?s delicious cooking. It wasn?t camping and hunting without Mom and her good cookin. It was always Mom and Almy?s dream to have a little piece of land and their dream came true when they bought their place in Grace, on Hegstrom Road. They built a home, a garden and Almy?s dream shop. At the same time Mom was busy owning and operating Bassett Janitorial, which provided cleaning services for three large companies in the Dry Valley mine area at the time. Some years passed and Mom and Almy ultimately decided to move back to Soda due to the long commute to the mines to clean, as well as for their health; he was always watching out for Mom. They bought their house on Gagon Dr. which mom loved! After many years they retired Bassett Janitorial. Retirement gave her the time to love her backyard and finally raise her flowers and vegetable garden and can the goods in the fall. Her backyard BBQ?s were famous amongst her family and friends. She also loved that she had the time to chase her grandkids and attend their activities. She loved being Grandma.
One of her passions was making special wedding and birthday cakes. She would make each of her children and grandchildren their birthday cake complete with their choice of flavor and decorated with their favorite character. It was a great surprise for all to see what Mom/Grandma would create. She loved making wedding cakes for friends and family too. These cakes were extravagantly decorated and completed with beautiful fountains, ladders and an array of adornments. Often she was hired to make cakes due to her excellent skills at not only decorating, but making decadently delicious cakes.
Almy and Mom loved each other deeply, but they had many struggles in their life which took a toll on their health. Mom lost the love of her life Almy on July 29th, 2007 due to a heart attack. The loss of Almy nearly destroyed Mom and the rest of us too. He was always the glue that held mom together, he was mom?s strength and love. The next 9 ½ years proved to be the hardest of mom?s life. She moved into to Fountain Terrace Apartments. During this time she enjoyed walks to Lynda?s and would help her make dinner and visit. She also looked forward to her time at Brian and Lynda?s cabin out to the dike for family get-togethers. She loved sitting on the deck, enjoying the views and having good conversation. Her health further declined, and she ultimately became unable to care for herself. Mom spent the last three years of her life in the Caribou Memorial Living Center. While these last three years were the hardest she was surrounded by amazing staff who loved and cared for her as if she were their family. Mom died surrounded by love and her children on January 20th, 2017. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her. Mom will always been known for her love, good cooking and one-of-kind sense of humor.
Services will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017 at Noon at the Soda Springs LDS Stake Center. Family will visit friends on Friday 10-11:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs.
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Bassett Family Association Database
- 2017