Dennis D. Basta, age 81 of Lindsay, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2017 at his daughter’s home in Cheyenne, Wyo. with family by his side.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2018 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the Evangelical Church of North America in Glendive with Pastor David Steinbron officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Dennis (Denny) was born on January 28, 1936 in Glendive. He was the second of five boys born to Rudy and Agnes (Thompson) Basta. His childhood was spent for a short period of time on the Basta homestead south of Lindsay, in North Dakota, and in Glendive. In the late 40’s the family purchased the farm where he resided at the time of his death. He attended several grade schools, graduating 8th grade from Clear Creek Rural School. Dennis graduated from Dawson County High School in 1953, where he set records in pole vaulting using a bamboo pole.
Dennis married Margaret Mickelson on November 18, 1956 in Glendive and they moved to San Francisco where Denny was serving in the Army at a Nike Missile Station, near Fort Cronkhite. In the fall of 1957 Denny and Margaret moved to Savage where he farmed. While in Savage, Mike, Alan and Shannon, the first three of their seven children, were born. In August of 1961 Denny and Margaret moved to the family farm south of Lindsay were they then had four more children: Ray, Jean, Joel and Cole. Dennis resided at the Lindsay farm until the time of his death.
He loved being a farmer and loved being on the farm. Over the years he raised sheep, pigs, cattle, wheat and other grains. He was very involved in the area, he was on the board of directors for several organizations including Clear Creek Hall Board, Farmers Union Oil Station in Lindsay, Dawson County Soil Conservation District, Dawson County Planning Board, and Dawson County Fair Board.
He loved his family and was very proud of them. He covered hundreds of miles following his kids and grandkids in their many sporting activities. His favorite things were family gatherings. He loved his community and lending a helping hand whenever needed. The Annual Union June picnic was an important part of his life. Dennis loved to dance and was a favorite partner of many. He also loved bowling and was on leagues for over 50 years.
In April of 2012 Dennis received a LVAD (left ventricular assist device), this was about two years after receiving chemo treatments for cancer. One of the drugs damaged his heart. With the LVAD Dennis was able to get back to the things he loved namely family, farming, dancing and bowling. The LVAD gave us extra time with this amazing man but we knew that time would not last forever.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Margaret of Lindsay; his seven children, Mike (D’Ann) Basta of Glendive, Alan (Liu) Basta of Austin, Texas, Shannon May of Glendive, Ray (Kris) Basta of Glendive, Jean Basta (Jim Temple) of Cheyenne, Wyo. and Glendive, Joel (Jamie) Basta of Glendive, and Cole (Shelly) Basta of Michigan City, Ind.; his brothers, Dave (Fran) Basta of Polson, Mont. and Tom (Marie) Basta of Beaverton, Ore.; brother-in-law, Fred Mickelson; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and cousins.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws; two brothers, Don and Dan; and a brother-in-law and his three children.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.