Ruth Bassett Bryant

(Feb. 5, 2005)

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Lovell LDS Church for Ruth Bassett Bryant, 52, who died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Lovell on Saturday, Jan. 29.

She was born in Powell on Dec. 31, 1952, the fifth of seven children of Fred and Barbara Bassett. She lived in Lovell on a small farm until she graduated from Lovell High School in 1971. Then she moved to San Diego, Calif., and met the love of her life, Donald, a Seabee in the United States Navy.

They had their oldest daughter, Solatare, while they were living in San Diego. After Donald was honorably discharged in 1976, they moved back to Lovell where they had their second daughter, Aurora. They wanted to live in Lovell which they felt was a nice town to raise their children.

Although her life on this earth was short, it was fulfilling. She was extensively involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having many church callings. She loved living in Wyoming with its abundant wildlife. She loved the Big Horn Mountains and Yellowstone Park, always looking for "floras and faunas."

She pressed and dried many flowers and leaves, hoping to make cards and flower arrangements for her family and friends. Just about every year, when she felt well enough, she joined her father, Fred, and her sister, Donella, on the National Bald Eagle survey. She did many crafts. She made cards with her extensive stamp collection. She crocheted occasionally, and she did many beaded crafts, including necklaces and bracelets. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren, letting them work with her on any of her craft projects.

Survivors include her husband, Donald R. Bryant of Lovell; their daughters and families, Solatare and James Kerwin and their son Pryor of Powell, and Aurora and Daniel Owens and their children, Audrya, Abigayle, Donovan and Angylena of Vernonia, Ore.; her father, Fred T. Bassett of Lovell; and her siblings, Irene Swensen and husband Robert in Utah, Fred C. Bassett and wife Louise in Texas, Donella Pease and husband Michael of Powell, Bruce C. Bassett and wife Marie in Utah, Jason C. Bassett and wife Della in Washington and Carlos C. Bassett and wife Connie in Laramie. She also leaves behind many close friends who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara C. Bassett; two nieces, Jennifer Rikke Swensen and Elaine Bassett; and a nephew, Randal Swensen. She was also preceded in death by her best friend, Sue Walker, who was loved and missed deeply.

The viewing will be Friday, Feb. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Haskell Funeral Home in Lovell. After Saturday services, burial will be in the Lovell Cemetery.

An account has been set up at Lovell First National Bank & Trust, in care of the Ruth Bryant Memorial Fund, for those who want to help Don and girls with expenses.