Maurice Burton Basness, 89, of Blooming Prairie, died at Prairie Manor Care Center Sunday afternoon, Dec. 13, 2009. 
He was born March 14, 1920 to B. Clarence and Anna M. (Miller) Basness in Newry Township, Freeborn County, Minn. where he grew up. He graduated from Austin High School in 1938 and joined the Army Air Corps in 1941. He married Gladys Shaw on Feb. 23, 1945 at Little Cedar Lutheran Church in Adams. They raised three children. Maurice farmed most of his life and also worked as a mechanic at local Ford dealerships. A lifelong member of Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, he also belonged to VFW and Sons of Norway. He loved to hunt, fish and travel, making it to Alaska twice, Norway and most of the 48 states.
Survivors include two daughters, Barbara (Steven) Nelson of Underwood, Karen (Roger Walvatne) Basness of Underwood; one son, Scott (Sandra) Basness of Blooming Prairie; special friend, Nina Ingvalson of Austin; five grandchildren, Sheena Marie, Stephen, Sydney, Corissa and Casey; a host of relatives and friends. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife and one infant brother.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009 at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church with Pastor Gene Leiter officiating. Visitation is from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Blooming Prairie with military honors by VFW Post 878. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church or AMC Hospice.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.