John Bass

John Marion Bass was born Nov. 14, 1927, in Laurel, Neb., to George and Mae (Papenhausen) Bass. He passed away on Nov. 11 at his home in Fontanelle at the age of 92.

John grew up in the Laurel, Neb., and Scranton areas. He was united in marriage to Bernice Brown on Nov. 6, 1948, at the Scranton United Methodist Church. To this union three children were born: Diane Carol, Charlene Kathryn and Jim Marion.

John was a farmer and he farmed near Scranton and Jefferson. His farm was one of the farms that hosted the 1966 Agri-Rama U.S.A. National Plowing Match.

They purchased their farm north of Fontanelle in 1968.  Upon retirement, they moved to their home in Fontanelle in 1993.

John was a member of the Methodist Church, Fontanelle Lions Club, Fontanelle Elevator Board and Farm Bureau.  He enjoyed dancing, jigsaw puzzles, reading, playing cards, bowling, boating and traveling.  He also looked forward to winters in Arizona for many years.

He is survived by his two daughters, Diane Rice (Darwin), of Jefferson, and Charlene Wood (Dean), of Coralville; son Jim Bass (Kathy), of Fontanelle; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law Mary Bass, of Banning, Calif., Phyllis Brown, of Bayard, Elaine Seaman (Robert), of Carroll, and Lois Taylor (Merlin), of Cedar Falls; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather Lester Weaver; wife Bernice Bass; brothers George and Stanley Bass; brother-in-law Wayne Brown; granddaughter Karen Wood; great-grandson Timothy Wood; and great-granddaughter Ava Farrand.    

Graveside services were held on Nov. 18 at the Scranton Cemetery.

The Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at steenfunerals.com.