Darlene Mae (Sunds) Bassett, 92, of Casey passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center. Visitation will be held from 6-8 P.M. on Friday, July 14th at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart. Funeral service will be held at 10 A.M. on Saturday, July 15th at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Casey. Burial will be at Dalmanutha Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Casey Library and/or St. John’s Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Darlene was born on February 7, 1931 to Morten and Marie (Brekenfeld) Sunds in rural Washington County, Nebraska. At age 10, the family moved their sheep ranching operation to Casey. Darlene attended Thompson Township #6 single room school and graduated with Casey High School Class of 1948. She immediately enrolled at Iowa Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls. At the age of 18, she began teaching at Anita Community School followed by Des Moines Public Schools. She paused her teaching career to raise her family. Upon returning to Iowa, she began teaching elementary classes at Adair Casey Community Schools and attended Drake University to finish her degree. Her teaching career spanned 50+ years. She touched many young lives in the community.
In June 1952. Darlene was united in marriage to Merle Bassett at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Casey. The couple first made their home in Dubuque, then Des Moines and St. Louis Park, MN before moving back to the family farm in Casey in 1968. The couple were blessed with three boys: Douglas, David and Gregory.. They enjoyed nearly 63 years of matrimony together and set a great example for all to follow.
Darlene was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, LWML, Beta Zeta Teachers Association and the Casey Women’s Club. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, vegetable and flower gardening and reading. She treasured time she was able to spend with her children. grandchildren and great grandchildren .
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and siblings: Marilyn Warner, Warren Sunds and Kay Olson.
She leaves behind her sons: Doug (Loni) of Milford, David (Michelle) of Panora and Greg (Pam) of Sheldon; grandchildren: Nick (Cindy) of Gilbert, Alex (Amy) of Oronoco, MN, Sam (Catherine) of Orange City, Katy (Reagan) Shonk of Cedar Falls, Logan of Sheldon, Gage of Sioux Falls, SD; great-grandchildren: Holly, Natalie, Bryson, Abigail, Bowen and Bennett; sister-in-law, Myrna Whetstone; and a host of extended family and friends that will miss her dearly.
To send flowers in memory of Darlene Mae Bassett, visit the Tribute Store.
14
Jul
123 North Second Street
Stuart, IA 50250
15
Jul
104 East 1st. Street
Casey, IA 50048
Lost Trail Road
Rural Guthrie County, IA 50048
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