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- The Seattle Times, November 15, 2017
Elaine Hulterstrom Bassett (Picture included)
Elaine Hulterstrom Bassett, of Bellevue, Washington, passed away November 10, 2017. She was 65.
Elaine was born in La Mirada, California, to Betty Jean and Walter Hulterstrom. She and her four siblings loved the beach, the mountains, and their family cabin. She learned sewing from her aunt and flower arranging from her grandmother, talents she used for the rest of her life.
Elaine studied Elementary Education and Spanish at Brigham Young University. She and Kent Bassett were married two months after her graduation, and have spent the last 43 years together.
Elaine devoted her life to service. She raised five children in Bellevue, sewing Halloween costumes, choreographing talent show acts, seeking sea creatures at low tide, throwing creatively themed birthday parties, visiting the zoo and the science center, and attending countless recitals and sports events. She taught mini art lessons at Clyde Hill Elementary, arranged flowers for friends' weddings, ran a lunchtime service center at Bellevue High School, volunteered at church and served church members in the Hispanic community.
For the past sixteen years, "Teacher Elaine" taught preschool at the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, building a curriculum around children's books, creative art projects, birdwatching, and weekly field trips. She encouraged and enabled kids to observe the natural world.
Amature conservationists, the Bassetts have worked to restore forests in Costa Rica and native species on their Humptulips River property. Recently they and another couple bought the slopes of Steptoe Butte, an Eastern Washington landmark, to protect it from development and to preserve its endangered Palouse prairie habitat for future generations.
Elaine offered unconditional love to all who knew her, writing kind notes and making phone calls to family and friends until the day of her death. She is survived by her husband, Kent; their five children, Loralee, David, Katie, Erik, and Andrea; eight and a half grandchildren; and many who would claim her as a second daughter/sister/mother.
The funeral will be held Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 11:00 am, preceded by life celebration displays beginning at 10:00 am. Services will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 14536 Main Street, Bellevue, Washington.
A visitation with the family will be held at the same location Friday, November 17, from 7:00- 8:30 pm.
Suggestions for remembrances: Woodland Park Zoo, Bellevue Botanical Garden, Palouse Land Trust.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1952 - 2017 (65 years)