WINNEBAGO — Irene Bassett, age 94, of Winnebago, passed away Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Heartland Senior Living-Parker Oaks in Winnebago, surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth, with Father Brian Mulligan officiating. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service Saturday. Inurnment will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery, Blue Earth.

Patton Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.pattonfh.com

Irene Kathryn Oelke was born Oct. 26, 1925, on a farm southeast of Blue Earth, to Edward and Leone (Himber) Oelke. She experienced an idyllic childhood living in the country, surrounded by nature and befriended by the horses and cats. Irene attended country school and later graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1943. She lost her mother at the age of 14, which transformed her world and instilled in her a deep resilience and perseverance.

She worked briefly in the Twin Cities and returned to Blue Earth, where she met an old classmate, George Bassett, whom she later married on Dec. 27, 1949, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth. They recently celebrated 70 happy years of marriage.

Irene and George lived and raised their family at Riverside Farm, north of Blue Earth.

She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America and American Legion Auxiliary.

She loved life on the farm and, in turn, the farm provided years of fulfillment, beauty and gratitude. Irene deeply loved her family, the land and her community. She enjoyed flower gardening, liked horses and was an avid sports fan, especially for the Minnesota Twins. She also loved poetry and was an incredible baker, as many have come to crave her cinnamon rolls.

Irene is survived by her best friend and loving husband, George; their children, George (Nancy) Bassett, Michele (David) Stahlmann, Sam (Michelle) Bassett, and Suzanne (Paul) Hofrenning; 12 grandchildren, Angela, Dan, Valerie, Frank, Nathan, Elizabeth, Jacqueline, Susanna, Mitchel, Philip, Matthew, and Lillian; eight great-grandchildren, Noah, Spencer, Jenna, Julia, Eloise, Gemma, Georgia, and Korben; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Leo (Thelma) and Wayne (Teresa); and son, Mitchel Bassett.

Irene’s family wishes to thank the incredible staff at United Hospital District Hospice and Parker Oaks Senior Living for their loving care to Irene in her illness.

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