Basil Stavenes, 81, died Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center, Erskine, MN.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, June 23, 2008 at Grace Lutheran Church, Grygla, MN with Reverend Mary Gilthvedt officiating. Burial will be Our Saviors Cemetery, rural Grygla.

Visitation will be Sunday 5-8 PM at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Basil Raynold Stavenes was born November 18, 1926 at Grygla, MN, the son of Ole and Julia (Nesland) Stavenes. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Grygla, MN. He attended school at Greenbush, MN. Basil served his country from 1945-1947 in the United States Army.

On October 29, 1949, Basil was united in marriage to Eunice Haugtvedt. The couple farmed and raised Angus cattle. Basil also drove school bus for 27 years at Grygla.

Basil was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Grygla, MN, where he served on the parsonage board. He also was a member of the Grygla Lions, served on the Grygla Co-op Store Board and for many years served on the Spruce Grove Township Board. For 30 years, he was Vice President for Roseau Electric Co-op. He liked fishing and working with the Lions Club. Most especially he liked spending time with his family.

He is survived by wife, Eunice, Grygla, MN; children, Wayne (Geri) Stavenes of Thief River Falls, Rodney (Sandra) Stavenes of Thief River Falls, Joyce (Brad) Barth of Goodridge, Randy (Kathy) Stavenes of Thief River Falls and Terry (Becky) Stavenes of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Stephen (Tammy) Stavenes, Sarah (Eric) Moose, Ryan (Ashley) Horachek, Kristy (Dave) Potter, Jasmyn Barth, Kylee Barth, Jason Stavenes, Loretta (Chad) Ledford, Perry Stavenes, Juhl Stavenes, Austin Stavenes and Brooke Stavenes; step-grandchildren, Kelly Carter, Sheena Carter, Bruce Carter, Annea (Christopher) Gilbow and Ishara Harmon; 9 great grandchildren; sisters, Adeline (Elmo) Lusignan, Thief River Falls, MN, Lillah (Ray) Johnson, Lake Bronson, MN and Nellie Storhaug, Thief River Falls, MN; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Peterson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives & friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; great grandson, Hunter Stavenes; sister, Challotta Peterson; and brother-in-law, Bob Storhaug.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

EULOGY: Brad Barth
ORGANIST: Joy Nordby
SPECIAL MUSIC: Joy Nordby & Marie Konickson
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art
CASKETBEARERS: Orvis Byklum, Richard Byklum, Mark Brobst, Doug Torgerson, Loren Lusignan, Raymond Benson
MILITARY HONORS: Grygla American Legion & VFW Posts