Esther Basinger

Esther Violet Basinger, 83, of 1646 8th St. S.W., died Friday, January 11, 2008 at her home. Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 4th St. S.E., with Pastor Paul Nelson officiating. A private inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be directed to St. James Lutheran Church. Esther was born January 12, 1924 in Madrid, Iowa, the daughter of Paul and Anna (Lokmer) Udrovic?. She graduated from Madrid High School and attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She also attended Drake University in Des Moines, IA, where she received her B.S. degree in Elementary Education. While at Drake University she was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, National Honorary Sorority and was selected for inclusion into Kappa Delta Pi, an international horror society in education. On August 20, 1947, she married Harold ?Bud? Basinger in Madrid, IA. She was a secretary for the State University of Iowa, Athletic Department and later taught in the elementary school at Tiffin, IA. She was on the staff for the Mason City Public Schools before retiring in 1985. She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church and Hope Circle. As a previous member of St. Paul Lutheran church, she served as President of the Lutheran Church Woman, Sunday school teacher and Lutheran League Sponsor. She held offices for the Washington School P.T.A. and served as President of the Mason City Instrumental Parents. She was a Brownie Girl Scout leader for five years, President of the American Legion Auxillary, and active in Womens Club. Esther was a Democrat activist and was involved in many other community projects. She enjoyed spending time with her grandsons. She loved to attend their concerts and ballgames. Esther enjoyed their music and having political discussions with them. Esther is survived by two daughters: Crystal Anne Bell and husband Scott of Mason City, and Carol Anne Meyer and husband John of Mason City; five grandsons: Jason and wife Ann, Eric, and David Bell and Paul and Matthew Meyer; two sisters: Katherine Peterson of Harcourt, IA and Josephine Schaumburg of Des Moines, IA; brother-in-law: Bill Basinger and wife Jean of Des Moines, IA She was preceded in death by her husband Harold in 1998, her parents, four brothers and one sister.

Visitation:
12:00 PM to 12:00 PM at on January 12, 2008 (map/driving directions) 12:00 PM to 12:00 PM at on January 12, 2008 (map/driving directions)

Service:
2:00 PM at 1148 4th St. S.E. on January 16, 2008 (map/driving directions)