Ruth Katherine Basham, 85 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 3:47 pm Friday, November 22, 2019 at The Madison. She was born January 16, 1934 in Galesburg, Illinois, a daughter of Thure and Esther (Olson) Swanson. On January 20, 1953, she married Donald Basham. He preceded her in death on September 3, 2011.

Ruth was a 1952 graduate of Galesburg High School. For 20 years she traveled to many places with her husband, Don, who was in the United States Army, including France and Hawaii. She worked at Silgan Container in the quality control department, retiring in 1995. She was a homemaker and her family was most important to her. She enjoyed cooking and watching the grandchildren in their many sports. She was a Hobby Lobby enthusiast and loved shopping for her quilting, crocheting, and scrapbooking.

She is survived by three sons: Mike (Connie) Basham, Ken Basham, and Robert Basham, all of Fort Madison; two daughters, Linda Basham-Lane of Argyle, Iowa and Kathy (Jeff) Stone of Kahoka, Missouri; seven grandchildren: Aaron (Kristy) DeBuhr, Nichole (Travis) Allen, Kate Basham (Jon Toland), Ben (Morgan) Basham, Kali (Kody) Kern, Marisa Basham, and Ryley Basham; ten great grandchildren: Robert and D.J. Anderson, Kale and Maya DeBuhr, Bodie and Josie Basham, Kayson and Kinleigh Kern, Jack and Charlie Toland; one sister Helen (Jim) McCormick of Illinois; two brothers, Edward (Marylin) Swanson of Colorado and Bernard (Becky) Swanson of Galesburg; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister Mary McCombs, one son-in-law Dale Lane, and one grandson Tony DeBuhr.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 5:30 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. Her body will be cremated following the visitation. A graveside service and burial of her cremated remains will be at 1:00 pm Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at the Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa, with Pastor Pete Hagglund officiating. A memorial has been established, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel. Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Basham family.