Avis Baasen

Avis Baasen 90, of Barrett, passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, Minnesota.

Avis Gudrun Baasen was born on a major Norwegian Holiday, May 17, 1922, to Andrew and Clara (Knutson) Pikop in her parent’s home in Grant County, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake, MN. She graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1940, followed by secretarial training at the Morris Ag School. While in high school, she played clarinet in both the school and Wendell Community Band. She was employed by Grant County as a secretary to the County Agent and the 4-H program.

Avis met Morris Baasen through 4-H when his children were members. They were married on October 16, 1954 at First Lutheran Church. They lived with his three children and brother in rural Wendell, MN. Avis was a talented homemaker. She sewed beautifully including wedding gowns, crocheted, knit, quilted, and wove rugs. She also was an excellent cook and baker; her whole wheat buns were a part of every confirmation and graduation. She also was an avid harvester of her vast garden.

Avis was active in many areas of Rock Prairie Lutheran Church including being LDR advisor, Ladies Aid, Fall Harvest auction/supper, and maintaining the history scrapbook. She also did her beloved quilting for Lutheran World Relief.

Morris and Avis traveled to the Scandinavian countries, Alaska and the US coast to coast, some of it with a topper on the back of their pickup. They enjoyed visiting family and friends, church suppers and other community events.

She and Morris moved to Fergus in 2001 and in 2005 became residents at the Barrett Care Center. Both of them missed life on the farm which was the happiest time of their life together.

Avis is predeceased by her husband Morris in 2009, her parents, a toddler brother, Wilbur and older brother, Anthony Pikop in 2012, brothers-in-law Roy and Palmer (Mildred) Baasen, and a nephew Plinney Haarstad.

Her family includes three step-children, JoAnn (Frank) Ostby, Gene Baasen and Carlyn (Ron) Nordby; grandchildren: Tim (Wanda) Nordby Mark (Betsy) Nordby, Peter (Lisa Hildenbrand) Nordby, Chad (Mimi) Baasen, Julie (Matt) Peterson, Ryan (Cindy) Baasen, Cheryl (Travis) Crawmer, Kristine (Mike Scheidt) Davis, and Paul (Julie) Ostby; many great grandchildren; and a niece Jean (Al) Flack.

Thank You to all who kept in touch with Avis through cards and visits. Special thanks to her wonderful caregivers at Barrett Care Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Rock Prairie Church, Rock Prairie Cemetery or Barrett Care Center.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Elbow Lake
Clergy: Reverend Stan Larsen
Interment: Rock Prairie Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Elbow Lake, Minnesota
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.