Obituary of Barbara Ann Basl

Died Sunday, April 14, 2019 in Salem, Oregon. Born March 14, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois. Barbara met Dale Basl on a blind date in 1965. Five weeks later he asked her to marry him, She said “yes”. He was deployed to Vietnam a few months later and they married 6 months after he returned, on September 2, 1967. Dale and Barb lived in the Chicago area until 2008. While in the Chicago area, Barb worked for the Hoffman Estates police department for 30 years doing various jobs including clerk of the circuit court, police matron, and file clerk. Barb and Dale moved to Salem, Oregon in 2008, purchasing a home near Dale’s childhood home. Their goal was to escape the harsh winters in the Chicago area and they hoped that the Oregon air would be beneficial for Barb’s health. During their 52 years of marriage Barb and Dale enjoyed many common interests such as dining out, going for drives with no destination in mind, and enjoying many great friendships. Donations in Barb’s memory are suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Portland. Words of love from Miriam - We’ve lost a very good friend/grandma. But we’ve gained an angel who is closer to God and someday we will reunite. Grandma Barb or just Grandma is the closest my Shelly ever had for a granny. We met when “Chelle” as she called her was 5 years old and just entering kindergarten. We would stop by after I picked up Shelly from school and grandma and Shelly would play ball. They had a blast. Grandma said it was good exercise for her arms. Sometimes we would sit outside to watch the kids go home. And we also saw a weirdo or two walk by. She was quite a character. She was fun, spunky, funny, loved life, she was full of laughter and love. Always smiling. I have so many great memories with her. So many. She loved coffee. Holy cow! Grandma would drink coffee all day and night and be just fine going to bed. Me on the other hand...AWAKE all night. I loved hanging out with her while living in Salem. We used to go thrift shopping and had a great time. We would come out of the stores laughing at the prices we scored the goodies for. She would shake her head, look at me with a smile and say: only you. One of my very favorite memories with grandma, one that I will never forget is when we went to Safeway on Lancaster and Silverton Rd. Safeway occasionally had a 50% discount on meat. Well, that day I checked out the meat section hoping for a deal on rib eye... but no deal. So, I told grandma: hmm, let me ask this gentlemen and see if he’s going to put some rib eyes on sale. She looked at me and smiled. There I go and in front of grandma I said: excuse me sir, any chance you have some rib eyes on sale? I missed the last sale. Gentleman: No ma’am. Regular price. Me: Okay. Thank you. It doesn’t hurt to ask. As we are turning our backs and start walking the gentleman says: Ma’am? MA’AM Me: YES Gentleman: I will mark half off on the package. Just please don’t tell no one. Me: OMG! Really?!?! Thank you so much! Bless your heart. Now, picture my face. Grandma: she looked at me holding a laugh, shook her head and said: ONLY YOU AND YOUR PUPPY EYES Oh dear God. All the way home we were laughing every time I asked grandma: Can you believe how much I paid?! Too much fun. That memory nothing nor anyone can erase. My last memory being with her is her enjoying a mint chocolate chip milkshake. Her and grandpa watching TV. While I was there she ate pretty well. That’s what grandpa said. I give tough love. When I was leaving Salem I got a very nice hug and I tried to hold my tears. That was the last hug I got from grandma. My last talk with her was about a week and a half ago. I didn’t get to say goodbye, but I told her that I loved her. And she knew that. I will always miss you and love you my sweet Barb. Some day we will laugh together again. Rest in peace. I ask you all to please keep praying. Pray for my good friend Dale.