Joan M. Basgen

Joan M. Basgen, 85, Duluth, died Thursday, March 15, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital hospice. A lifelong resident of Duluth, she was born May 31, 1921 to John and Adelaide (Miller) Monaghan. She was a graduate of the Villa St. Scholastica, and she attended the University of Minnesota. She married Jean F. Basgen in Duluth on Dec.r 12, 1945. Joan was the past Director of Volunteers at St. Mary's Hospital for many years. She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, a member and past president of the Junior League of Duluth, past president of St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, a member of SMDC Foundation Board of Directors, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at the University of Minnesota, one of the founding members of the Ginger Bread House in support of Duluth Cathedral High School, and Northland Country Club. Joan was also an avid UMD hockey fan. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Betty Pasternacki and Susie Mooney; and by her husband Jean in 1991. Survivors include her children, John (Norma), Ann (Bob) Besinger, both of Edina, Minn., Fritz of Minnetonka, Minn., Judy (Peter) Salyards of Duluth, Jean (Larry) Falk of Minneapolis, Sue (Mike) Hayden of St. Louis Park, Minn., Liz (Tom) Chapman of Medicine Lake, Minn.; grandchildren Nick (Kelly) Basgen, Kristina Basgen, Chris (Holly) Besinger, P.J. Besinger, Peter and Tom Basgen, Ben, Becky, and Dan Salyards, Beth Falk, Andy and Claire Hayden, and Arthur Chapman; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Mark J. Plachta and his nurse Lisa for the fine care they gave mother. GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS:Sunday from 3-5 p.m., with wake prayers at 4:30 p.m. at Dougherty Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, or the Junior League of Duluth. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd. St., 218-727-3555.