Ralph Benton Basel

Ralph B. Basel, 79, of Ottawa, Kansas passed away Friday, January 9, 2015 at Ottawa Retirement Village where he had resided the last three months. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Family will meet with friends an hour before the service and following burial which will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Williamsburg. Ralph was born December 24, 1935, on a farm northwest of Quenemo to Victor and Verrilla (Porter) Basel. He moved to the Williamsburg area about 1942 and lived there until he moved to Ottawa in 2010. He graduated from Williamsburg High School with the class of 1953. He was active in FFA, earning his State Farmer degree in 1953 and American Farmer in 1956. Ralph was a farmer and cattleman his entire life. On July 22, 1956, he married Joy Ann Fleming at Trinity Methodist Church in Ottawa. He had been a member of the Williamsburg Methodist Church since boyhood and served as a trustee for over 50 years. He had been a member and past president of the Williamsburg Lions Club. He served on various committees including the Franklin County Farm Bureau and ASCS. Among his many enjoyments were woodworking and wood carving, traveling in his motor home, and square dancing. He had been a member of Happy Time Squares, Pioneers Plus Club and the Ottawa Promenaders where he had held several offices. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and “babysitting” the grandkids. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Victor Hubert; and daughter, Janet Lynne. He is survived by his wife, Joy of 58 years; four sons, Wesley Basel and partner Toni Horst of Springfield, VA; Michael Basel and wife Claudia of Lenexa; Bradley Basel and wife Aldana of Leavenworth; and David Basel and wife Dayna Groskreutz of Sioux Falls, SD. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Julian, Victoria, Gabriela, Benjamin, Jasper, Hannah, Elsa and Clara Joy Basel. The family suggests memorial contributions to Williamsburg United Methodist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to leave their condolences and memories on Mr. Basel’s Celebration Wall at www.dengelmortuary .com.