Hilda Cecelia Basile

Loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Hilda Cecilia Basile, 85, of Bozeman, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2013. Hilda will be remembered for her radiant presence and quick smile. Hilda’s grandchildren will always remember ‘grandma’s incredible cooking and baking,’ and her warm and welcoming home. No matter where Hilda went, she cheerfully contributed her time and her talents, lending a hand where ever needed. Hilda found a friend in everyone she met, even during her last months while fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Hilda was born October 30, 1927 in Grayson, Saskatchewan, Canada to George and Mary (Duczek) Ottenbreit. Hilda was raised in Grayson on the family homestead. She received her teaching degree from Teachers College at Normal School in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in 1946. She taught for a combined seven years in Saskatchewan – three years in the one-room Gelowitz School, one year in the one-room Mariahilf School, and three years at St. Henry’s School in Melville. From 1953 to 1956, Hilda served as a Parental Care Supervisor at a children’s home in Regina, Saskatchewan, for the Department of Social Welfare. Hilda taught grade school at the Immaculate Heart School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 1956 to 1958. In 1958, she taught at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Boise, Idaho, where she met Joseph Basile. They were married on June 18, 1960, in Boise. In 1961, Hilda retired from teaching to raise a family. Hilda and Joe moved to Bozeman in 1963. In her early Bozeman years, Hilda worked to raise her family. Her activities during that time revolved around her children. When her children where grown, she worked for the Billings Gazette as the District Circulation Manager in Bozeman, from 1981 to 1986. Hilda also worked for the MSU Bookstore from 1988 to 2003. Hilda was an active participant in her church, Resurrection Catholic Parish. Hilda gave generously of her time and talent as a volunteer. She served the Bozeman Community Concert Association as a board member for 14 years and membership chairperson for nine years. Hilda served on the board of the Farmers’ Market for four years, and was the neighborhood solicitor for the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, and the Kidney Foundation. She was also a volunteer for the weekly student lunch program at Resurrection Catholic Parish. Hilda was an excellent baker and enjoyed petit point (needle point). She entered her baked goods and needle point at the Montana Winter Fair and won many Blue Ribbons and Sweepstakes awards. Hilda also enjoyed gardening and crafts. Hilda became a citizen of the United States on February 5, 1998. Hilda traveled back to Canada on many occasions to visit her brothers and sisters and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother, Edward Ottenbreit, and her younger sister, Ruth Goebel, and her brother-in-law, Robert Striker. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Joseph “Joe” Basile of Bozeman; daughter Mary Anne (Curtis) Firstman of Beaverton, Oregon; sons Ronald (Joyce) Basile of Portland, Oregon; and Michael (Shauna) Basile of Missoula, Montana; 10 grandchildren - Conner, Emily, Alexander, Seth, Matthew, Chloe, Paige, Ian, Erin, and Madison; brother Delphis (Lorette) Ottenbreit of Regina, Saskatchewan; and sisters Aileen Striker of Douglas, Massachusetts; Leona (Norman) Dean of Grayson, Saskatchewan; Dolores (George) Fischer of Raymore, Saskatchewan; sister-in-law Mildred Ottenbreit of Grayson, Saskatchewan; and brother-in-law Wilfred Goebel of Neudorf, Saskatchewan. A Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus at 6:00 pm followed by a Vigil service at 6:30 pm on Thursday, January 17, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 18, 2013 at Resurrection Catholic Parish in Bozeman. Interment of the urn will occur at a later date at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her name to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, 602 Bond Street, Bozeman, MT 59715 or the Resurrection All Are Welcome Building Fund, 1725 S. 11th Street, Bozeman, MT 59715.