Virginia "Iris" {Hagabush} Basinger

Virginia “Iris” Hagebusch Basinger of Houston, TX (97) was born July 17, 1922 and passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday morning, August 14, 2019.
Iris was born to Everette and Angie Hagebusch, one of five children, in Coody’s Bluff, Oklahoma.  She grew up in a happy family environment, both industrious and full of fun.  She graduated from Alluwe High School.
Iris met her future spouse, Dennis Charles Basinger, while working at an ice cream shop in Claremore, OK, after high school.  He became a “very regular” customer and soon a loving husband.  They married on January 17, 1942 and celebrated almost 64 years together.  Iris and Dennis were blessed with two children, Mike and then Kathy, born 14 years later!
Iris and Dennis lived in several different places in their early marriage, and then settled in Bartlesville, Oklahoma for 16 years and afterwards in Odessa, Texas for 43 years.
Iris began work at Odessa Internal Medicine after Kathy began high school and the doctors and employees there became especially dear.  She retired at 70, but they missed her and she missed them, so she happily volunteered her service and time for a number of years.
Iris and Dennis enjoyed traveling and visited 49 states with a trip to Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary being a highlight.
After Dennis’s death, Iris moved to Houston, TX in 2007 where she joined her children and their family. Always independent, she settled in an independent living facility “with a kitchen” so she could continue to cook and bake.  She made many friends there and participated in most all activities with Bingo being her favorite. She continued to drive until she was 95 years old.
Iris loved her church family at Asbury Methodist Church in Odessa and her independent living location church in Houston, serving with great joy.
Iris was a loving and dedicated daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother.  She was a devoted friend and “second Mom” to many.  Her faith and family were always her greatest treasure. She was involved in every aspect of her husband’s and children’s lives attending countless events and providing a wonderful role model of a servant’s heart.  Iris went on to develop loving relationships with her children’s spouses, Mike’s wife Susan and Kathy’s husband Dennis.  She was affectionately called Mom, Grandma Iris and MeMe.  Iris found great joy in watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. She adored spending time with her family whether one on one, or with the whole group for countless celebrations and holidays.
Iris is survived by her son Mike Basinger and his wife Susan, Kathy Evans and her husband Dennis, grandchildren including Dennis, David, Jason and Tyler as well as great grandchildren DJ, Matthew, Preston, Madelyn and Elizabeth.  She also leaves behind nieces and nephews along with their children and grandchildren and countless wonderful friends she made throughout her life.
Iris’s life will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 19, 2019 in the Chapel at Klein Funeral Home located at 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, TX 77379.  Burial will take place in Chelsea, Oklahoma, 2:00PM, Saturday, August 24th, Chelsea Cemetery.