Dorothy Ann Basey

Dorothy, Dot, Mom, Meme passed away June 25, 2025, at West Valley Hospital, surrounded by family, after a recent fall at home.

Dorothy Ann Basey was born in Gering, Nebraska, on June 16, 1933, number 4 of 7 siblings, and the oldest girl. Her family moved to Wilder where Dorothy graduated from Wilder High School in 1951. Dorothy went on to graduate from Saint Alphonsus Hospital School of Nursing in August 1955.

Don rolled a car after a date with Dot, so it was decided to get hitched.  We teased them about being rebels. Mom had met Pop at a dance in Homedale - she sold him a dance ticket. Don and Dorthy were married on April 28, 1955. Interesting enough, they were married on a secret trip to Elko.  You see, back in the day, you could not be married and attend nursing school. Oh, and what a beautiful run they had. 65 years to be exact.

Dorothy went to work for Dr. George Wolff who had a family practice in Homedale.  She was there for several years before going to work at Caldwell Memorial Hospital, now known as West Valley Medical Center.  Mom was an RN, working in the operating room; her specialty was orthopedics, and she stayed there for 35 years.  People would tell her they were comforted knowing she was helping on their case. She also belonged to AORN (the Association of perioperative Registered Nurses) and loved to travel.  Mom and several of her nurse friends traveled to Holland and Texas a couple of times. Oh, she loved being a nurse. It seems mom was bringing shots home for Dave and Deb all the time.  But let me tell you, as an adult, there are some nurses she could teach - she truly gave better shots than anyone.

Mom and dad raised us kids in a small farmhouse on 80 acres.  The folks raised chickens, pigs, cattle and had a huge garden. Dorothy canned everything. Mom was amazing. Did we mention she was a seamstress.... She made all of Don and Dave’s beautiful western shirts and made a beautiful wedding dress for one of her nieces.  Debbie was so lucky to have beautiful homemade formal dresses to wear to dances - they were one of a kind. 

The family enjoyed many trips camping.  Mom would get home from work on a Friday and we would have the old Romer camper loaded and ready.  It was a lot of work for the folks, oh but, we all had really good family times. There were camping trips with horses and sheep herder tents. Us kids were in heaven, playing cowboys and Indians on ponies.  Mom was not a horse person, but she was a trooper and went trail riding with us.

Dorothy is survived by Dave (Patty) Basey; Brandan Stover; Debbie (Jeff) Hall; Dave (Heather) Abi Charters; Bret (Jennifer) Claire Hall; Jennifer (Ryan) Jace; Lynlee; and Jhett Ryska. She is also survived by baby brother, Johnny (Paige) Brown and little sister, Roma (Bill) Wagner.

It’s really hard to summarize 92 years.  Dorothy was a hard-working, talented lady who loved her family. She especially loved watching her grand and great grandkids grow up. She will truly be missed.

Dorothy’s family would also like to thank West Valley Hospice for the excellent care.  They are a special crew. The kindness that was shown was truly amazing and so appreciated.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 11:00 am at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Caldwell, Idaho. Services are under the care of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. (208) 459-0833