(A Life Rooted In Faith & Community)
Patricia Joanne Basselman, age 84, of Archbold and formerly of Ridgeville Corners, passed away Friday, April 10, 2026, at Henry County Hospital.
She was born in rural Napoleon June 10, 1941, to Richard and Marie (Rohrs) Gerken. She married Rudolph Henry Basselman on July 22, 1962, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Napoleon Twp. Rudy preceded her in death on May 3, 1999.
Pat was a 1959 graduate of Ridgeville High School. Before marrying Rudy, she worked at Behrman Construction of Ridgeville, then became a full-time wife and mother as they first made their home near Malinta in 1963, and then built a home near Ridgeville Corners in 1969.
As a former member of St. Paul’s, Napoleon Twp., she served as a Sunday School teacher and children’s choir director for over 20 years, member of the Senior Choir for nearly 30 years, played piano for the youth choir and was an occasional organist.
Pat served as a precinct worker in Ridgeville Twp. for the Henry County Board of Elections for 25 years. She also coordinated the Lunch Bunch home-delivered meal program in Ridgeville for over 20 years and taught piano lessons from her home for over 25 years. She was also a member of the Ridgeville Twp.
Fire Department Auxiliary and heavily involved in the Ridgeville High School Alumni Association. Pat served in so many volunteer capacities in her Ridgeville and church communities.
Pat was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Archbold for the past 26 years. She served as a Church Council member, Sunday School teacher, member of the Chancel Choir, Women of the Church President, member of the Sewing Group, Shut-in Visitation Team and Funeral Meal Team. She also served on the Maumee Valley Conference Board of the Women of the ELCA as past president and secretary.
She is survived by her children, Randall (Angela) Basselman of Cincinnati, OH; Sandra Miller of La Crescenta, CA; David (Tracy) Basselman of Ridgeville; Rev. Steven (Jennifer) Basselman of Pettisville; daughter-in-law Kelly Basselman of Dothan, AL; 12 grandchildren, Peter Miller, Alyssa Miller, Matthew Miller, Sarah Renollet, Ashlee Preston, Scott Aschemeier, Melody Smith, Tyra Smith, Emma Basselman, Owen Basselman, Zach Basselman and Josh Basselman; and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rudy; son, Dennis Basselman in 2018; grandsons, Andrew Miller in 1995 and Clinton Basselman in 2017; sister, Carolyn Pahl in 2021; and brother, Morris Gerken in 2022.
Friends may visit with family at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Archbold on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Martin’s on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 11 a.m., with Bishop Daniel Beaudoin and Rev. Marcus Lohrmann officiating. Burial will follow at the Locust Grove Cemetery, Ridgeville. Worship was a priority for Pat, and the family encourages you to share her last worship service with them.
Memorial contributions may be made to the music ministries of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church or the Ridgeville Twp. Fire Department. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com.
The Grisier Funeral Home of Archbold is honored to serve the Basselman family. The obituary for Pat was lovingly prepared by her family.