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- Laurel Outlook, Montana, Thursday, 14 August 2025
Dean Bassett
Dean Bassett, son of Mable and Kenneth Bassett, was born on December 28, 1932, in Wilmot, South Dakota; Dean arrived three years to the date of his brother Donn. His sister Sue arrived 11 years later to complete the family.
Dean attended a country school near Wilmot for the first eight years. He graduated from Wilmot High School in 1951 and attended his 50th class reunion in 2001. Dean served in the US Air Force from 1952 to 1956. On August 2, 1958, Dean married Vera Kaatz from Sisseton, South Dakota. They were three days short of celebrating their 67th anniversary.
Dean and Vera lived in Wahpeton, North Dakota, for 13 years, where Dean attended the Wahpeton State School of Science, later becoming city engineer and auditor; Vera taught school at Wahpeton Indian School.
Dean made friends in Wahpeton that remained throughout his life. He continued to come back to "Opening Fishing Weekend" every May.
Dean and Vera moved to Montana in 1971, where Dean became a civil engineer with the Custer National Forest, headquartered in Billings. Vera was a teacher and guidance counselor in Laurel, Montana, for 25 years. Dean retired in 1994, and Vera in 1996. They moved to Red Lodge for three years, eventually retiring in Sierra Vista, Arizona, where they lived for 15 years, then returned to South Dakota and settled in Rapid City. They had recently moved to Arrowhead Lodge in Rapid City in February this year. Golfing at Pueblo del Sol in Arizona and Heart Ranch occupied hours of Dean and Vera's days.
Earlier in life, Dean was an avid hunter and fisherman. In 2013, Dean and Vera moved to Rapid City, where they had lived the past 13 years. It was the year of a huge snowstorm on October 1st.
Dean is survived by his wife, Vera; sister, Sue (De Lane) Dollinger of Venturia, North Dakota; a cousin, Lynn (Darlene) Wilkie of Wilmot, South Dakota; two nieces, Rhonda (Doug) Martenson of Sisseton, South Dakota and Cheri (Daryl) Meidinger of Phoenix, Arizona; nephews, Kurt (Sue) Bassett of Brookings, South Dakota, Scott (Cheryl) Bassett, and Todd (Cheryl) Bassett of Wilmot, South Dakota; and a very special friend, Pamela Rains-Sylvester of Bend, Oregon.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Mable and Kenneth Basset; and his brother and sister-in-law, Donn and Shirley Bassett.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother and sister-in-law, Donn and Shirley Bassett.
Cremation and burial will be held at the Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors. Dean will be interred in the columbarium.
"You have been the love of my life and the wind beneath my wings; and one day we will be joined again forever."
Arrangements are with Kirk Funeral Home, Rapid City, SD.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1932 - 2025 (92 years)