Sophie Basinski

Our sweet momma, age 95, danced her way into Heaven on November 25, 2025. She was born in Gaylord on October 1, 1930 when Herbert Hoover was President, a loaf of bread cost 5 cents, a dozen eggs 39 cents, gas 10 cents a gallon, postage stamps were 3 cents, average monthly rent was $15.00, average cost of a new house was $7k, average household income $1900.00/year, World Series champs were Philadelphia A's and the planet, Pluto, was discovered.
Her parents, Joseph and Margaret (Stryzynski) Lewandowski, raised her on the cherished family farm along with 12 siblings who have all preceded her in death. On April 24, 1948, she married Vance, and together they built a family of love for 39 years prior to his same death date of November 25, 1987.
Over the years she held many titles: "Mom, Soph, Zosia, Busia, Gram and Nana." Most importantly to her was when she developed a personal relationship with Jesus and was called a "child of God."
She lived an authentic, sacrificial life of servanthood, always putting herself last to make sure everyone else had what they needed. She modeled the heart of generosity, always giving and remaining anonymous while doing so, whether in making a rent payment or paying a utility bill for someone, she did so silently. She was so proud to witness seeing her daughters following in her footsteps in living a life of compassion and many of her grandchildren having careers in public service. Her life of zeal was a priority, passion, and constant effort while pursuing God's purpose.
Her world revolved around her family with her kitchen being a close second where family and friends gathered to enjoy, just to name a few of many, her homemade bread, chicken soup, kishka, paczki, czarnina, German chocolate cake and wide variety of cookies. She also would spend countless hours in the berry patch and would never leave any berry unpicked even if it meant a sunrise to sunset adventure! Sophie delighted in making her famous pies just to simply give away.
She was never too busy to have the grandkids for a sleepover. This would always include hours and hours of games, a tradition she started and now carries on across the generations! She even put a swimming pool in the backyard so everyone could come over at any time. She was rarely in the water but always served treats, fresh fruit, fired up the grill and had cold lemonade! Backyard baseball was always a highlight of time spent at Gram's. She was eager to pitch for hours to anyone who wanted to hit a ball.
Sophie will be remembered for many things, but definitely for the gift of time she shared over meals, countless games of Pinochle, Connect 4, Yahtzee and games of Aggravation! She may, or may not, have been known as a "cheater!"
She was passionate about her prayer life. She was a prayer warrior! She didn't just say, "I'll pray for you" but prayed right on the spot. It didn't matter if it was in person, over the phone or in a restaurant. If you shared a need, she wasted no time interceding! On her 94th birthday she shared that whenever a car passed by her house, out loud she would say, "Jesus loves you" declaring his love over each stranger that went by. A few days before her home going many times she would say, "there is only one Savior."
Left to carry on her legacy is her precious family. Her daughters, MaryAnn (Joe) Lesatz, Jean Snook, Margaret Clark, Jan (John "her Johner") Lake; Daughter-in- law, Wanda Basinski and son-in-law Ernie Bright, 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Her children rise up and call her blessed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings, son Walter Basinski, daughter Judy Bright, foster son, Todd and son-in-law, William Clark.
A Celebration of Life for Sophie will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at North Life Church, 115 E. Main St. Gaylord, MI. The family will gather with family and friends for visitation at 10 AM with service beginning at 11 AM. Interment will take place in the Spring at Resurrection Cemetery, Vanderbilt, MI.
If anyone wishes, memorial contributions may be made to a cause that Sophie held dear to her heart. The Promise FM radio station was her constant companion 24/7 and filled many long, lonely hours for her. PromiseFM.com/donations OR mail directly to Promise FM P.O. Box 695 Gaylord, MI 49734. In comment section reference Sophie Basinski memorial.
Please share your stories and memories of Sophie at the "Share a Memory" section. Arrangements entrusted to Nelsons Cremation & Funeral Services, 135 N. Center Avenue, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, Michigan. www.CarebyNelsons.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sophie, please visit our floral store.