Richard J. Basten
February 8, 1934 - October 22, 2014

Richard J. Basten, age 80, of Ashwaubenon, died on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 of Alzheimer's and kidney disease. He was born on February 8, 1934 in Green Bay, to the late Walter H. and Esther (Liebman) Basten. Dick was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and attended school there for eight years. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1952. Dick served his country in the U.S. Army. On January 25, 1958, he married the love of his life, Dorothy J. Magnuson at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Green Bay. They celebrated 57 years of marriage this year.
Dick's father was a homebuilder and when Dick was young, his father taught him all about the business. When his father retired, Dick became the next homebuilder. Dick and Dorothy established R. J. Basten Construction and Realty Company, Inc. Dick and his father were charter members of the Brown County Homebuilders Association and Dorothy was a charter member and Vice-President of the Brown County Homebuilders Women's Auxiliary.
Dick built many homes and duplexes in Green Bay and the surrounding areas. He was an excellent builder in which he took pride. He built three homes for the same couple over the years. Dick and Dorothy lived in five of the houses that he built and a cottage at Star Lake, near Mountain WI. The family loved to spend time at the cottage. They enjoyed fishing and driving the pontoon boat in the summer and in the winter they enjoyed snowmobiling, ice fishing and deer hunting. In the later years Dick and Dorothy spent part of the winters in Florida.
Dick is survived by his wife, Dorothy; four children, Sharon (Joel) Gruman, Delafield, Amy (Matt) Weum, Brooklyn Park, MN., Daniel Basten and Steven Basten, Green Bay; six grandchildren, Jennifer Basten, Amanda (Lance) Gunlaugson, Luxemburg, Andrew Gruman, Delafield, Marlayna Gruman, Delafield, Brock and Tyler Weum, Brooklyn Park, MN; two great-grandchildren, Rowan and Layton Gunlaugson, Luxemberg and his sister, Shirley Siegel. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Richard Sturzl; brother-in-law, Loyal Siegel; his mother and father-in-law; his brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Darlene Magnuson; his nieces' husband, Gary Beckstrom; his uncle and his wife, J.C. and Caroline Basten and his cousin, Carrol Basten.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a parish wake service at 5:30 pm. Visitation will continue on Monday, October 27, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1224 12th Avenue, from 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am with Rev. Ryan Starks officiating. Military honors will follow. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com.


In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Dick's name.

Dick was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. The family would like to thank the staff at Woodside Oaks, Allouez Parkside Village Assisted Living and the nurses of Unity Hospice who took such good care of Dick.

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