Freda J Basye's Obituary
Santee – Elfreda (Freda) Basye was born to Keld Mogenstrup and Kristine Mogenstrup, n’ee Andreassen, on March 2, 1913, in Denmark. She immigrated to the United States aboard the RMS Baltic, a sister ship of the Titanic, landing in New York City on January 10, 1914. The family immediately took residence in the state of Colorado, where Freda attended schools located in the Denver area, and, upon graduation from high school, began waitressing at a local restaurant. Before long, she met a young Marine veteran, George Williams Basye, and became his wife and the mother of their three children, son, George Jr., and daughters, Roena and Mary Frances (Fran). At the outbreak of World War II, the family found itself in San Diego when George joined the war effort by re-enlisting in the Marines. After George’s military service ended, Freda continued to raise their three children while George went into business for himself. In an effort to help with family finances, Freda became affiliated with the County of San Diego through their foster care program. A baby, Eugene (Gene), was placed with the family for “temporary” foster care, but, upon his adoption, became the sixth member of the family. Some years after George’s death in 1972, Freda relocated to Green Bay, Wisconsin to live with her daughter, Fran Bangert (Bill). While there, she helped to raise her grandchildren, Mary Lindstrom (Steve), Clara Luther (Marty) and Tom Bangert (Connie). As the years passed, she felt the pull of “America’s Finest City”, and, bidding adieu to the Wisconsin winters, came back to San Diego. Eventually, she moved in with her son, George, and, in her 80’s, helped to provide care for his wife (Jackie), as Jackie’s health began to decline. Upon Jackie’s death, she continued to keep house for George, until his passing. Freda spent her final years living in Santee, with, first, her granddaughter, Chris Copp and Chris’ partner, Tom Yanitor, and then, for the last four months of her life, with her grandson, Vernon Condon (Suzanna). During that time, she received excellent care from the fine people at Sharp HospiceCare. In addition to her husband and son, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Roena Carter (Bernie) and Fran. Also preceding her in death were her grandsons William Condon and Michael Condon. She is survived by her son, Gene (Charlotte), her grandchildren and their spouses in Wisconsin, and her grandchildren in California, Brenda Varon Newton (Rusty), Denise Flynn (John) and Sarah Poole (John). She led a long and productive life, and leaves behind a prodigious number of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who will never forget who wished them “oodles of love” in every card or note. Her viewing will be held at Greenwood Memorial Park on Saturday, January 30, starting at 9:45 am. A grave-side burial ceremony will begin at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Santee Elks Lodge beginning at 1:00pm. A memorial service to honor Freda will also be held in Wisconsin at a later date.
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