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- MOORE — Viola Iris (Melz) Bassett, 85, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 9, 2010, at
an assisted living facility.
She was born Dec. 21, 1924, near Trivoli, Ill., to William and Ida (Roelfs)
Melz. She attended Birds Corner School near Trivoli and graduated from Canton
High School in Canton, Ill. She worked as a housekeeper and caregiver through
her teen years. She met Earl Bassett at a church youth group meeting, as he
was returning home to Montana from active military duty in Australia. She came
west to Montana with him to take a look at the country.
She married Earl Harvey Bassett on Nov. 29, 1944, at St. Paul Lutheran Church
in Lewistown. They began their 62 years together in a log cabin on the prairie
in western Petroleum County. Through hard work, perseverance and God’s
blessings, they raised and college-educated their four daughters.
Coming from a long line of gardeners in Illinois and Germany, Viola delighted
in all things green and blooming. She brought bouquets to Sunday worship the
year around. She loved music and being grandma to her 11 grandchildren. Viola
thrilled to hear of their adventures and accomplishments. Their baby years
were a special favorite.
With help from their family and neighbors in later years, Earl and Viola
stayed on their ranch until 2004, when they moved to a Lewistown condo. In
2005, they moved to Don and Joanne Nelson’s Assisted Living near Moore.
“Special thanks to Joanne and the other caregivers for their gentle care of
both our parents.”
Earl preceded her in death on Jan. 17, 2007, forever loving her and telling
her how beautiful she was to him. Also deceased are her sister, four brothers,
and eldest daughter, Twila Hildebrandt.
Surviving are three daughters, Vicki (Eric) Olsen and their children, Nellie
and Leif Olsen of Juneau, Alaska; Joy (Gene) Culver and their children Medina
and Monique Culver of Billings; Darlene (James) Ring and their children, Ben,
Rita, Karen, and Joseph Ring of Blodgett, Ore. Also surviving is a son-in-law,
Ray Hildebrandt and his children, Earl, Krista and Jesse Hildebrandt of
Bonduel, Wis.; a brother, Simon Melz of Illinois; as well as many niece
nephews, cousins and friends.
Things we learned from our beloved mother: a love of growing things, devotion
to family, friends and our Savior, reusing and recycling before it was
politically correct, tolerance for all and contentment.
A memorial service for Viola will be held in Lewistown during late June and
will be announced at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Christ Our King Lutheran Church, 810 Fifth Ave. S.,
Lewistown, MT 59457.
Condolences may be forwarded to the funeral home or sent to the fami
eovbak@gmail.com.
Creel Funeral Home of Lewistown is in charge of arrangements.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1924 - 2010 (85 years)