Betty Jean Bassett

Betty Jean Bassett, age 93, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2020 at West Ridge Specialty Care in Knoxville, Iowa.

Betty was born on October 31, 1926 to John and Florence (Wohlwend) Hoover in Elkhart, Polk County, Iowa. She attended country school in Bremer County until her 10th year when she was called to work on the farm after her two older brothers left for the service during WWII. She also cared for her invalid mother and through letter writing for her, to the son of family friends, she met her future husband, who was serving in the Navy. Betty and John C. Bassett were united in marriage on August 31, 1944 in Waterloo, Iowa and were blessed with seven children. They enjoyed 46 years of marriage before John passed away July 9, 1991.

Betty was a great homemaker and worked hard raising seven kids while John was an over the road truck driver on long delivery trips. She was an excellent cook and baker. It was many a day we would come home from school and smell the wonderful meal she prepared for the evening, beginning with homemade bread. She also made sure we all graduated. Her greatest joy was always her family and she loved the big gatherings that were held throughout the years.

Betty is survived by her 4 daughters, Marlene Alcorn, Delores (Gary) Cowman of Knoxville, IA, Debbie (Neil) Montz of Corydon, IA, Linda Houge of Williams Bay, WI, 3 sons, Bob (Valerie) Bassett of Bussey, IA, Jim (Betty) Bassett and John (Bobbi) Bassett of Knoxville, IA; one sister, Vivian Shrader of Warsaw, MO; 4 brothers, John (Barb) Haugland of Solon, IA, Ron (Barb) Hoover of Russell, IA, Doyle (Janet) Hoover of Chariton, IA, Kenneth Hoover of Indianola, IA; 2 brothers-in-law, Kenneth Bassett of Winterset, IA, Alvin (Shirley) Bassett of Waukee, IA; one sister-in-law, Ethel Bassett of Columbia, MO; 26 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren (plus 1 on the way); and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, John and Florence Hoover; one daughter-in-law, Dale Marie Bassett of Bussey, IA; one son-in-law, Richard Houge of Williams Bay, WI; and one granddaughter, Amanda Busch. Also, two brothers, Keith Hoskins of Risen, AR, Vern Hoover of Chariton, IA; three sisters, Loretta Callison of Derby, IA, Sandy Rice of Longview, WA, and Shirley Davis of Knoxville, IA; two brothers-in-law, Marvin Bassett of Knoxville, IA, Harold Bassett of Hannibal, MO; and two sisters-in-law, Ruth Edwards of Chariton, IA and Mary King of Des Moines, IA.

To accommodate COVID 19, visitation will be held Sunday, September 27, 2020 from 2PM to 7PM, without Betty’s family present. Private family services will be held on Monday, September 28, 2020 at Celebrate Community Church in Knoxville. Following private services, graveside services will be held for friends and family at approximately 11:30 AM, Monday, September 28, 2020 at Breckenridge Cemetery in rural Marion County.