Dean L. Bass

Dean LaRue Bass, 91, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2022 at the Monarch House in Lincoln, NE where he received exceptional care. Prior to that he had been living at the Legacy Estates, Lincoln, NE. He was born March 17, 1930, in Crawford, NE to Lloyd and Fern (Young) Bass.

He grew up in Crawford, NE and in the 8th grade, Pappy met his sweetheart, Yvonne Maxine Friel. Once high school ended, Pappy began to work for his Dad on the farm. He would have been drafted, but instead chose to enlist, so he could have a choice of which branch. On January 3, 1947 Pappy joined the Navy and reported to boot camp at the Great Lakes. This was an extremely frightening time for him, because there was the omnipresent threat of the Germans and Russians.

After marrying Yvonne, on March 23, 1951, they moved to Corpus Christi, Texas for approximately three years. After his time in San Diego, he was aboard the WASP Aircraft Carrier for 10 months and 2 days of active sea duty as a structural mechanic for the Korean War. Basically, he worked on the hydraulics and structure of planes. This career would later transform in to a favorite pastime with carpentry after retirement. Dean was discharged from the Navy at the San Diego base in 1954.

After the Navy, Pappy got a job at the Uhrig family farm, near Hemingford, NE. Pappy soon rented a ranch from Clifford Horner, at the Squaw Mound area near Crawford, where they spent nearly a decade. They were blessed with two children, Constance Joan in 1956 and Thomas Dean in 1957. They felt extremely fortunate to be so lucky in life.

Soon enough, they grew tired of the farm life, and Pappy obtained a job with Cal Gas Corp. He spent 21 years with Cal Gas, and lived in Lusk, WY; Crawford, NE and Evergreen, CO. Pappy retired from Cal Gas and he and Tom purchased the Bank of Swanton, and later Farmer’s State Bank in Plymouth, NE. He served as Chairman of the board until his death. After living in CO, Pappy and Yvonne lived in DeWitt and later Pappy moved to Lincoln to live at the Legacy Estates with his best friends, Don and DeLila Reynoldson.

Pappy always had an amazing garden and always shared with everyone. Besides gardening and canning, he enjoyed woodworking, golfing and spending time with his family. Most of all, he loved his furry best friend, Winnie.

Yvonne was sick for many years before she passed and he was an amazing caregiver to Yvonne. He had a deep love for her that not many couples shared. Out of necessity, he became very handy in the kitchen but rarely followed recipes. One time, he concocted a casserole with 37 ingredients and had the family guess to see if anyone could figure out all of the ingredients! No one came close! Most of his dishes were very delicious but there might have been a “miss” or two! His go-to dinner was roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, frozen corn, and a fruit salad with Cool Whip.

He was a loving man and always put family first. He would do ANYTHING for his family and did, building and creating several beautiful kitchens and many other things out of wood. The best part about Pappy is he was willing to give you everything for nothing in return. Pappy was an irreplaceable, unique, and loyal person whom we feel extremely lucky to have had in our lives. Young and old knew Dean as “Pappy,” his preferred name to all, or as “Deano,” except he was “Dad” to Connie and Tom. He was beloved by all who met him. Every kid in DeWitt, Plymouth, Swanton and Colorado called him Pappy. He had a tremendous sense of humor. If you know Connie and Tom, the apple did not fall far from the tree. We will miss him terribly, but are blessed to have had him on earth for 91+ years.

Family members include: daughter, Connie Barrett, Arvada, CO; son, Tom (Kathy) Bass, Swanton; grandchildren Mindy (Hans) Levens; Aaron (Kiley) Barrett; Jackie Bass; and Angie Bass (fiancé-Chris Lauer); and five great-grandchildren, Grayson and Ryder Levens; Reeve, Mara and Lexi Barrett, and his Best Friend for Life, Don Reynoldson, who was like a brother to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Yvonne, brother and sister-in-law Don and Reba Bass, and son-in-law John Barrett. HE will be laid to rest at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Lakewood, CO.