Donald F. Bassett

DONALD FREDERICK BASSETT, 87 of Ogallala, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2018, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Don was born August 9, 1931, at Geneva, Nebraska to Frederick and Marie (Lewis) Bassett. Don attended Geneva High School where he enjoyed competing in athletics, graduating with the class of 1949.

Don eventually made his way to the Ogallala area, where he was employed with Leonard Dairy before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. Don was stationed in Japan throughout his service and was honorably discharged in 1953. He returned to Ogallala, where he resumed his work at the dairy.

On June 10, 1956, Don was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Armour at the Methodist Church in Ogallala. The couple subsequently made their home in Boulder, Colorado, where Don had followed his friend Leonard "Shine" to work at a dairy on the front range. Eventually, Don came back to Ogallala to manage the gravel division of his father-in-law's concrete business, Don Armour Construction Co., which he did for nearly 20 years. It was during his tenure there that he was hit by a train while hauling gravel. In 1978, Don began working for Ogallala Electronics. Don and Shirley purchased the Lakeway Lodge during this time, which they owned and operated for three years. In 1993, Don retired from OEMI. He ultimately decided to get his real estate license and spent around five years selling property with Cobb Realty.

Following his retirement, Don and Shirley moved to Shirley's parents' homeplace which was situated on a nice sized lake that existed as a by-product of their gravel operation. Don spent countless hours out on that lake, fishing, smoking his signature pipe, enjoying the wildlife, and solitude. He was also very actively involved in local athletics as a clock operator. Don was a mainstay at high school sporting events, even making the trips to work the various state volleyball and wrestling tournaments. He was a family man and loved spending time camping. Don enjoyed a good breakfast, and his camp stove breakfasts came to embody the quintessential camping experience for his kids and grandkids.

Don had been a member of the Methodist Church for over 60 years. He had been active in varying capacities at his church and was a member of RSVP, where he greatly enjoyed visiting with people while volunteering at the I-80 Visitor Center. He was also a member of the local VFW.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dean, and a sister, Dorothy.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Bassett of Ogallala; children, Kris (Maire) of Winter Park, CO, Kent (Jennie) Bassett of Aurora, Co, Kregg (Earla) Bassett of Ogallala; 7 grandchildren, Megan and Cary, Morgan, Molly, and Sebastian, Kimo, Riana, Kade, and Kayla; 3 great-grandchildren; brother, Darrell "Buck" (Jacque) Bassett of Ogallala; sister, Donna of Oregon; along with many other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Ogallala or the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department in Don's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com. Services will be streamed live from methodistchurchogallala.com for those unable to attend.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 30, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Ogallala with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Inurnment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Visitation for memorial book signatures will be on Thursday, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.