12/05/2020
Alvin Earl Bassett, 84, died Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Independence Village in Waukee, IA.
Alvin was born January 4, 1936 in rural Marion County and raised in Knoxville, graduating in 1954 from Knoxville High School. While driving truck for his father, he met Shirley J. Altes and was married December 21, 1958. Shortly thereafter, he was assigned his post in Korea serving in the 103rd Infantry Division. After honorable discharge from the Army, he and Shirley set up housekeeping in Des Moines.
During this time, he completed his mechanical electrical engineering degree at Iowa State University graduating in 1972. Throughout his career he was very active with the National Electrical Contractors Association holding multiple positions within the organization. This provided him many opportunities to travel with his family throughout the US. Usually that vacation involved shopping destinations.
Alvin retired from Stroh Corporation in 1998. This allowed him more time to enjoy spending time with his grandkids, along with gardening, fishing, hunting for mushrooms or picking berries of which he would make many a pie. His grandkids still won’t eat a store-bought pie because Grandpa made the best pies. An avid Cyclone fan, he would also enjoy watching many ISU sporting events and it was a bonus when he spent that time with his grandkids. In his later years he also volunteered as foster grandparents with Shirley for Royal Family Kids Camp.
Besides his work, Alvin was faithful in his church First Assembly of God greeting and ushering many through the years. Alvin loved people and always had a story to tell. Throughout his life, he demonstrated his love and faith in God. His legacy will be remembered and live out through his grandchildren of which he spent much time with. They all can share the endless stories he would tell them (ask them about the 3-legged chicken or the bar bouncer).
Alvin is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley; son, Tony (Roxanne )Bassett of Urbandale; daughter, Rita (Glenn) Chapman of Loves Park, Il; his grandchildren, Jay Chapman of
Columbia, MO; Micah (Tabitha) Bassett of Lawrence, KS; Jonah Bassett of Urbandale; Val (Meagan) Chapman,of Madison, WI; Sarah (Andrew) Champion of Waukee; Kip Chapman of Ft Polk, LA; Noah Bassett of Urbandale; and Lia Chapman of Ames; 3 great-grandchildren and two on the way; a brother, Kenneth, of Winterset.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Elreta (Loynachan) Bassett; 3 brothers, John, Marvin and Harold; and 2 sisters, Ruth Edwards and Mary King.