Janice "Jan" Basler

A celebration of life for Jan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Humboldt. The service will be livestreamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook page. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Humboldt. A private family burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Renwick.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to be used at their discretion.
Janice Hilda (Helmke) Basler was born on August 11, 1936, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the youngest of six children born to William Henry and Hilda Helena (Boge) Helmke.
Jan graduated from Renwick High School and went on to earn a two-year Elementary Education Certificate from Wartburg College. She later attended Drake University, where she received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Education. While at Wartburg, she was a proud member of the Wartburg Choir, reflecting her lifelong love of music.
Jan dedicated 39 years to teaching, sharing her passion for learning with generations of students. She taught 5th grade in Iowa Falls, 6th grade at Boone Valley in Renwick, and later served as a Special Education teacher at Phillips Middle School in Fort Dodge. During her years at Boone Valley, she also directed school and class plays.
On April 13, 1957, Jan was united in marriage to Gary Basler at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Renwick. Together, they shared a life of faith, family, and community.
Jan was deeply active in her church and community. A lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Renwick, where she was baptized and confirmed, she served in many roles including the Sunday school and Bible school teacher, church council member, in the Women's organizations. In March 2017, she became a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Humboldt.
Jan was a proud American and an active member of the Republican Party in both Wright and Humboldt Counties, even serving as a delegate to the National Convention. She was also a member of P.E.O.
After moving to Humboldt in 2011, Jan embraced her community. She volunteered at nursing homes, the food pantry, and with Meals on Wheels. She also continued to be a member Humboldt Community Chorus for 30 years which she fondly called "One Big Wonderful Family."
Even after her retirement, Jan continued to share her love of teaching as a substitute teacher, taking joy and pride in seeing her former students grow into capable, caring and successful adults.
Music was one of Jan's greatest passions, along with her love for flower gardening and the beauty of the outdoors. She delighted in God's creation, high sports and activities, especially cheering for her beloved Iowa State Cyclones, and traveling across the United States to see new places.
Above all, Jan was deeply grateful for the blessings of her life; her husband, children, grandchildren, family, and friends.
Jan died Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Clarion Wellness and Rehab Center. She was 89.
She is survived by her children, Michelle Thompson of Renwick, Mark (Naomi) Basler of Redondo Beach, CA; grandchildren, Taylor Thompson of Des Moines, Tanner (Heather) Thompson of Wooster, OH; great-grandchildren, Elle Teryn and Emmett Gordon Thompson. Jan is also survived by her brother-in-law, Patrick Beckerdite and a wealth of extended family and friends.
Preceding her in death are the love of her life, Gary; her parents; mother-in-law Gayle Beckerdite; son-in-law, Gordy Thompson; brothers, Norman (LaVonne) and Jerry (Mardelle); sisters, Kathryn Duffy (Jim), LaVonne Peer (Corwin), and Gretchen Rininger (Oren), nephew Norman Lee Helmke, and sister-in-law Arlee Beckerdite.