Basil “Sparky” Edward Francis Bellrichard, 90, of Austin, Minnesota, died at his home on Thursday, April 28, 2016.

Basil was born Dec. 18, 1925, in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Henry and Iva (Wagner) Bellrichard. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1944.

After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 where he helped set up the telephone system in post-war Vienna, Austria. After returning from overseas, he attended Austin Junior College for one semester. He worked as a fireman for the railroad until he was rehired by the Geo. A. Hormel Company in 1947. He worked at the Austin plant in various capacities until his retirement in 1990.

Sparky married Dorothy Sathre, daughter of John and Bertha (Benson) Sathre, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on April 24, 1948. In 1954, he and Dorothy built the house in which they raised their family and have lived ever since. He loved spending time with family and dear friends, especially his seven grandchildren.

Sparky was a Cub Scout leader, a proud member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Austin Post #91 American Legion. He drove the St. Olaf Church van for People Needing People for several years. He served as a crossing guard for 18 years. He enjoyed reading, playing cards, traveling, and attending dances at the Terp Ballroom with Dorothy, their friends and relatives. He spent many hours bowling, hunting, and fishing with his brothers. He was an avid golfer, boasting 4 holes-in-one during his career. He was an original member of the Cedar River Country Club in Adams. Sparky was also very generous, spending much of his later life shopping for food and clothing items that he donated to local charities.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dorothy in 2013, ten brothers, and two sisters.

Sparky is survived by his son: Mark (Cindy) Bellrichard, Champlin, Minnesota; daughter: Ann (Rod) Hanson, Orlando, Florida; seven grandchildren: Kathy, John, Todd, Allison and Scott Bellrichard, and Denise and Gail Hanson; three great grandchildren: Anna, Tyler, and Karter; sister: Marie Thomas, Miami, FL; sisters-in-law: Donna (T.J.) Williams, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Joan (Tom) Adams, Los Angeles, California, Ann (Gary) Eppen, Goodyear, Arizona, and Joanne Sathre, Austin, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 2, 2016, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery with Austin Post No. 91 American Legion in charge of military rites. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, 2016, with a prayer service at 4 p.m.. There will also be visitation at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be designated to a favorite charity and/or non-perishable food items be brought to the mortuary on the afternoon of the visitation to be donated in Sparky’s memory.