Obituaries » Colleen Bass
Colleen Bass
May 2, 1946 - June 24, 2023
Service Date: June 30, 2023
Funeral Home Memorial Services of Iowa
Colleen Mae Bass, 77, peacefully passed away on June 24, 2023. She was born on May 2, 1946, in Lehigh, IA, to Clarence and Jaunita Ekstrom. Colleen had a genuine affection for infants and young children. She cherished her role in caring for them, earning the trust of parents who knew their little ones were in capable hands.
She was part of the final graduating class at Border Plains School, now part of the Fort Museum in Ft. Dodge, IA. Colleen spent her early years in Lehigh until her marriage to the love of her life, Robert Bass, on October 4, 1963. Together, they created a home in Ft. Dodge, Evanston, Harcourt, and eventually settled in Dayton in 1974.
Throughout her life, Colleen worked at various establishments, including Globe Union, the E-Z Shop in Fort Dodge, IA, and the Clover Farm in Dayton, IA, where she contributed her skills and dedication.
Colleen served as the secretary of the Dayton Wranglers Saddle Club for many years, exemplifying her commitment to the community. For an impressive 21 years, she played an integral role as a timer at the Dayton Rodeo and was among the select few responsible for organizing the Little Britches Rodeo.
With love and compassion, Colleen and Robert opened their hearts and home to 15 foster children over 16 years. In 1967, they experienced immeasurable joy by adopting their first child, followed by three more adoptions. Colleen’s nurturing spirit led her to venture into in-home daycare, where she provided love and care to numerous children throughout her career.
In 1986, Colleen and Robert relocated to Ankeny, IA, where she established a thriving daycare business, serving the community from the comfort of her home.
Colleen is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Robert, her brother, Alan (Linda) Ekstrom, her son, Kevin Bass, her daughters, Kim (Jay) Ohm, Violet (Chris) Clark, and April Moore, her grandchildren, Logan Bass, Allison Moore, Samantha DeRegnier, Nathan Clark, and Kyle Bass, as well as four great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Jaunita, her sister, Leveda (Paul) Fawcett, brothers Gerald (Jodi), Donald (Delores), Lyle, her nephews Steve Fawcett, Scott Ekstrom, and her grandson Karson Bass.
The family will hold a visitation and celebration of Colleen’s life on Thursday June 29, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA) from 5-7 pm. The funeral service will take place on June 30, 2023, at the funeral home at 10 am. Colleen will be laid to rest at the Dayton Cemetery in Dayton, IA. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at the United Methodist Church in Dayton, where family and friends can come together to honor Colleen’s memory.
The service will be live streamed at the following link https://vimeo.com/event/3527703
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 126, Dayton, Iowa 50530. Or, Dayton Wranglers Saddle Club, PO Box 604, Dayton Iowa, 50530.