Lois Eileen Basaraba

Lois was born on December 31, 1923 in Burlington North Dakota. She was the only daughter of William and Hazel (Irwin) Brockel. Lois graduated from Burlington High School as the class Valedictorian in 1941. Her children always reminded her of her great accomplishment of being the valedictorian, but she always reminded us (with a twinkle in her eye) that it was out of a class of three.

She attended Business College and worked at the YMCA in Fargo, North Dakota. Eventually, Lois grew tired of the cold North Dakota winters; so along with her dear friend, she decided to board a train and head West to Seattle. They arrived at King Street Station and were immediately met by a recruiter from the Boeing Aeronautics Company. It is there that Lois contributed to the war effort by serving as a partner to “Rosie the Riveter”, working as a Bucker, a position which required strength and endurance.

It was at Boeing that she met her husband Ben Edward Basaraba, another North Dakota native. Ben and Lois were married on May 11, 1946 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Seattle. They resided many years in Renton, Washington in the house that Ben built. It was here that they raised their family of five. Lois also made her home with her family in Kent, Washington. Eventually, she returned back to the Midwest where Ben worked as a supervisor on the Boeing Minuteman Missile program. They lived in South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana, Nevada, and California. Upon Ben’s retirement she returned to the Pacific Northwest, and settled in Maple Valley, Washington.

Lois was a long time member of the Black Diamond TOPS group (Take off Pounds Sensibly). She was a dedicated walker, avid reader, skilled gardener and bird watcher. She was a fabulous friend too many, and loved to share a story and a good laugh.

She is preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, and two brothers, Don and Dale Brockel.

Lois is survived by her five children, Judith Basaraba, Janis Phillips (husband Paul Phillips), Gayle Basaraba, Randall Basaraba (wife Susan Kraft) and Jean Basaraba; five grandchildren Chad Basaraba, Alexander Basaraba, Nicholas Basaraba, Patrick Phillips, and Shayna Phillips; and three great grandchildren, Zakary Basaraba, Ryan Basaraba, and Kateryna Basaraba; several nieces and nephews, and her brother and sister in law.

Our family would like to thank the healthcare workers of Providence Hospice of Seattle for their dedicated care.

In lieu of flowers our family asks that memorial gifts be made to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation at 2811 S. 102nd St #220, Tukwila WA 98168 or online at https://give.providence.org/wa/hospiceseattle