Harriet L. Basel

Harriet Lucille Liljegren Basel passed away into eternity on Saturday, September 13, 2025. She was born March 10, 1944 in Rockford, Il, daughter of Harry and Esther (Gabb) Liljegren. She graduated in 1962 from East High School and in 1964 from Northwestern University Dental School with a diploma in Dental Hygiene. She completed her BS degree at Marquette University in January 1967. She worked as a dental hygienist for Anthony Castrogiovanni for 20 years and Riverside Dental for 28 years retiring in 2014. She loved her profession and her patients. She was proud she had practiced for 50 years. Harriet married John Ross in 1974. In 2000 she married James Basel, who preceded her in death in 2008.

She is survived by two children, Sean (Valisa) Ross and Jennifer (Jeff) Oberts. She delighted in her four grandsons, Gavin & Camden Ross and Maddux & Mason Oberts. Harriet had four step-children, John (Charlotte) Ross, Dennis (Sherry) Ross, William Basel and Jennifer (Steve) Sandrock; and six step-grandchildren. She is also survived by Lawrence Spooner - her best friend, dance partner and loving companion.

Harriet was a 50-year member of Beta Sigma Phi, a social and service sorority. They were truly her sisters. She had many friends from her many groups - her hygienist colleagues, East High friends, Silver Sneakers classmates, quilting buddies, campground friends, birthday group, and her Facebook friends. Harriet was proud of her Swedish heritage and loved taking her children and then later grandchildren to Swedish doings. She enjoyed crossword puzzles (like her mother), reading and quilting, but her passion was genealogy. Harriet loved the challenge of searching for relatives. She felt everyone should know their heritage. At the slightest encouragement she would research your family tree. Harriet had so much energy and loved life. She packed as much in a day as she could - often wearing out those much younger. Harriet will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., Rockford. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. She will rest at Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.olsonfh.com.