Donald “Donnie” Sylvester Basgall, 75, Bison, was called home by Our Heavenly Father on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, with his beloved family by his side. Donnie was born in La Crosse on Aug. 6, 1948, to Sylvester and Florentine (Urban) Basgall.
After graduating from La Crosse High School in 1966, he answered the call of duty and joined the US Navy, serving with honor from 1968 to 1972. He married Lynette Herrman in 1968 . They had two children, Scott and Kerri, before later divorcing in 1989.
Following his military service, Donnie began his professional career at Marlette Homes in Great Bend. He later attended Salina Area Technical College where he earned a degree in Electronics in 1981. He then went to work for Flame Engineering, Inc. in La Crosse, where he dedicated himself until his well-deserved retirement in 2019.
Donnie’s greatest source of pride and joy was his family. He was a dedicated Grandpa to his three grandchildren, Karli, Kaden, and Maci. He found tremendous joy spending time attending every important, and not so important, event and especially his Saturday morning ritual of taking his grandkids out for Lamar donuts and chocolate milk, only to get home with them and start planning where they were going to go eat for lunch and supper!
Donnie loved to travel! Some of his favorite trips were to Chiefs games, fishing trips with his buddies, hauling Kerri places he always wanted to visit when she was a young adult, but nothing did he love more then when he took Mike, Kerri, and the grandkids on two magical trips to Disney World, with a third trip in the making!
Donnie’s love extended beyond his immediate family; he was a true friend and a passionate sports fan. His loyalty to the Kansas City Chiefs and KC Royals was unwavering, he enjoyed watching the play with family and friends. He found most joy in outdoor activities spent fishing or engaging in friendly competitions of horseshoes, washers and cornhole.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 3147 where he served as Post Commander. He was also a life long member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, both of La Crosse.
Donnie is survived by his Daughter: Kerri (Mike) Baalmann, Peck, Kansas; three Grandchildren: Karli, Kaden, and Maci; Sister: Lucretia (Ken) Giersch; Brother: Les Basgall; and numerous loving family members and friends.
He is reunited in eternal peace with his son Scott, his parents Sylvester and Florentine, his brother Edwin, and his sisters Darlene Adams and Shirley Basgall (infant).
Visitation will be Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7 p.m. that evening.
Church visitation will be Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse.
Funeral mass will be Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, with Father Sam Brand officiating. Interment with military honors by the United States Navy and the Bazine and La Crosse American Legion Posts will be at the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials be sent to Good Shepherd Hospice, Wichita.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were made by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P.O. Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas, 67548.