Age 91 of Newport
Passed away on March 19, 2011. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Lenore, and sons Paul and Mark. Survived by sister Audra, sister-in-law Gen, and brother-in-law Ron, many nieces and nephews. He will be forever missed by children James (Kay), Robert (Mary), Pauline (Steven) Schottmuller, Melanie (Ginger Neil), and Ron (Annette Jung), daughters-in-law Cynthia, and Patricia LaBrocca; sixteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, loving friend and companion Cleo Swanson and her children Diane (Tom) Freppert, Joan (Mark) Donisi, Sue (Jim) Williams, and Janet (Steve) Swanson. Basil was a WWII veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. He worked for 3M for 37 years, starting as a welder and ending his long career as the supervisor of the welding and machine shops at St. Paul's east side production plant. He served on the City of Newport's Planning Commission and was a member of the City Council for three years. He was first elected mayor in 1960 and subsequently served as the City's mayor for 22 years. Following retirement from 3M in 1982, he worked as a toll-taker and mechanical consultant for the JAR Bridge. He also volunteered at the Friends in Need Food Shelf. He loved tinkering in his workshop at home, fishing in Canada, Alaska, and Oregon, boating on the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, and helping all who asked him to fix things. Visitation on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at KOK Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. Cottage Grove. (651-459-2875) Mass of the Resurrection on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
Visitation
Kok Funeral Home - Cottage Grove
7676 80th Street South
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Service
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Hastings, MN 55033
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
10:30 AM