Kenneth Basset
June 15, 1946 – October 16, 2022
It is with great sadness that the family of Kenneth “Ken” Basset, age 76 of Bruno, announce his peaceful passing surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at St. Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon.
Ken was born on June 15, 1946 to Alain Sr. and Isabelle (nee Magnus) Basset in Humboldt. He was a very shy, curly haired, cute little boy. He obtained his education in Bruno. Ken loved his life on the farm and worked beside his father and brother. Unfortunately, his father passed away when Ken was 17 and he then began to run the farm with his mother and brother. For a short period, he drove school bus in the Bruno area. Ken then went on to Kelsey and obtained his diploma in Farm Machinery Technician and began employment at the Colonsay Potash Mine in 1969.
One evening while out with friends he met this beautiful lady, Mary Lea Zentner, and he ruthlessly began to pursue her. He won her over and they became soulmates and within 11 months they were married at St. Augustine R.C. Parish on October 21, 1972. They lived in Humboldt for a short time and then headed to Bruno and made their home on the farm in June 1975. Then in November of 1975 their family grew quickly as they were blessed with twins Alain and Andrea. After experiencing the loss of his father at the early age of 43 he celebrated every birthday with gratitude and grandeur.
Ken was employed with the Colonsay Mine for 39 years, working underground as a mechanic and later became a foreman on the diesel bay and later a supervisor. He also farmed with his brother Cookie. After working underground for so many years, the outdoors were where he loved to be, so he began to garden. He thoroughly loved being outside. Ken and his mother continually had a competition on who could grow the biggest vegetable.
In 2009, Ken retired from the mine and farming to be the primary caregiver to Mary Lea and his mother Isabelle. Ken had five great loves in his life: #1 – Family, #2 - Chevrolets, #3 - International Equipment, #4 – NASCAR and #5 – the color ”BLUE”. Ken was a kid at heart and that part of his personality really shone at Christmas time. He always had the most gifts and could not contain his excitement.
Retirement brought him many gifts: the opportunity to spend quality time with his grand-children and get to know them well, he would often take them to the junction for suppers; the freedom to just stop in for a visit with his children which included a coffee, “Danish Oven” coconut long john or a “Tim’s” Tim Bit! He loved his children deeply and their partners, but his grandchildren were a notch above, and then on September 28, 2022 when Ken became a Great Grandfather, that was above and beyond for his love to be shared. He was so excited to hold Hayden Lea for the first time and commented how they had made a connection; she had captured his heart! Ken did what he loved best right up to his last days, canning, and working in the kitchen along side his daughter Andrea, she has great memories of this fall’s preserves. Ken was always well dressed and took pride in everything he did.
Ken’s kind and gentle ways will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his mother
Isabelle Basset of Cudworth; twin children, four grandchildren and one great granddaughter: Alain (Amanda) Basset of Bruno and family Taylor (Kyle Medernach) Basset and daughter Hayden Lea of Cudworth and Tristan Basset of Bruno; and Andrea (Neil) Dielschneider and family Trace Dielschneider (Sam Resch) and Davin Dielschneider all of Saskatoon; special friend Karen Washkosky of Humboldt; his faithful companion Barkley; sisters-and-brothers-in-law: Elaine (John) Gill of Edmonton, AB, Estelle (Garry) Lux of Medicine Hat, AB, Gerard (Maureen) Zentner of Salt Spring Island, BC, Peggy (Brad) Zeran of Victoria, BC, Ralph (Sherry) Zentner of Lethbridge, AB; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Ken was predeceased by his wife Mary Lea Basset (2016); father Alain Basset Sr.; brother Brian “Cookie” Basset; and parents-in-law Ed and Emilie Zentner.
A Prayer Service was held on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. and Funeral Mass was held on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. (on Ken & Mary Lea’s 50th wedding anniversary). Both services were held from St. Bruno R.C.
Church, Bruno, celebrated by Fr. Pius Schroh. Ken and Mary Lea were interred together at St. Agnes R.C. Cemetery, Peterson, SK. following the Funeral Mass.
Memorial donations in Ken’s memory may be directed to St. Agnes R.C. Cemetery Fund (Peterson, SK) or Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The family thanks everyone for wearing blue at the funeral to honor Ken. A recording of the services will be available to view on the funeral web page from Saturday, October 22, 2022 to Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home & Crematorium
Phone: 682-1622