Eugene Paul Bassler was born November 12, 1917 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Anthony and Ervina (Schwind) Bassler. He married the love of his life, Genevieve Meyerhofer on December 24, 1943 in McCook, Nebraska, before leaving to serve his country in World War II. She died on August 14, 2003. He served in the U.S. Army in the 128th Field Artillery and as a pilot of a B 24, he flew 55 bombing missions over northern Africa and Europe. After the war, Gene & Gen farmed together in Jackson County for over 40 years. They raised 12 children on the 200 acre farm. Eugene loved to make things out of wood, rebuild machinery, and modify and improve equipment. After retiring from farming, Eugene became a Deacon in the Catholic Church. He presided over weddings, baptisms, and funerals and gave homilies at Sunday Mass at St. Lawrence Church in Otter Creek. His homilies often had stories about his children and family. In the mid 70's, he got very interested in solar power and installed solar panels on the farm home and on the barn and bought a solar panel dealership. He also installed his own ethanol plant in his machine shed in the early 80's. He had also worked at Community Action Authority and had been a manager at the Operation New View office in Maquoketa. He had many talents and interests, including playing the harmonica. He played old songs that his dad taught him. He could make up a song or a poem in a few minutes if you gave him a topic. He loved telling stories –it was often suspected the stories were embellished for "literary interest". His wit was quick to his last hour. He remembered many people's names by using word associations or rhymes. He was an honorary member of LaMotte Knights of Columbus, where he had served as a chaplain. He was also a member of Jackson County Farm Bureau and was a 4-H leader in Fulton for many years. Eugene's life was a blessing to all who knew him. He will be missed by his entire family and by the many friends he made over the past decades.


Eugene is survived by 12 children, Denise (Gerald) Laufenberg of Clinton, Donna "Dietz" (Rocky) Andracchio of Haines City, Florida, Louis (Mindy) Bassler of Dubuque, Bruce (Julie) Bassler of Maquoketa, Mary Jeanne (Steve) Bock of Iowa City, Tim (Lori) Bassler of West Liberty, Bob (Ellen) Bassler of Davenport, Becky (Rick) Brame of Clive, Tina (Doug) Hansen of Maquoketa, Steve (Tammy) Bassler of Maquoketa, Dave (Teresa) Bassler of Dubuque, Paul Bassler of Napa Vine, Washington. He is also survived by 31 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; one sister, Anna Meyerhofer of Osage; one brother, John "Bob" (Mia) Bassler of Anchorage, Alaska; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, a granddaughter, Stacey Hansen, his parents, and four sisters, Clementine McNamer/Koenigsfeld, Colette Bassler, Dolores Ruden, and Regina Bonifazi.


Deacon Eugene P. Bassler, 91 of Dubuque, and formerly of Otter Creek, died Saturday, January 24, 2009, at the Dubuque Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Dubuque, following a brief illness.

Lahey Funeral & Cremation Services