John William Bashaw

John William Bashaw was called to his Heavenly Father on August 11, 2026. John was born September 10, 1932, to Harold and Leona (Puent) Bashaw. He was the oldest of 10 children.

John graduated from Central High School and went on to serve in the Army from 1953–1955. John met his future wife, Lois (Erickson), on a blind date. They married on December 1, 1956, and shared 68 years of marriage.

Together, they raised nine children, plus many friends of their children, at their farm in La Crescent. It was a revolving door of kids. He was a farmer and a hard worker and instilled a strong work ethic in his children.

John loved helping his community and served on the Board of Directors for Semcac for 24 years.

John was known for his love of poultry. He raised all types of poultry from a very young age until the time of his death. John said, “He would have his birds until the day he died,” and he did. He loved teaching people, especially 4-H kids, about poultry. He would hatch eggs for the 4-H kids so they could have quality birds to raise for the fairs. John was a poultry judge, and judged fairs and poultry shows until the age of 90. John was honored at the Minnesota State Poultry Show for his many years of support to the poultry fancy.

John also loved to watch sports. His favorite was the Green Bay Packers. He attended his first game at Lambeau at the age of 90 and had the time of his life.

John had the gift of storytelling. He truly had the gift of gab. He and Lois loved traveling to poultry shows together and making friends along the way.

John is survived by his children, Karen (Michael) Schadow, Debra (Allen) Ruege, Steve (Rosemary) Bashaw, Diane Newman, Patricia (Roger) Remlinger, Mike (Susan) Bashaw, Mark (Ann) Bashaw, Daniel (Jannie) Bashaw, and Lori (Ron) Mann; special extra children, Collen Nagel, Lisa Miller, Kelly Ostrem, and Dan Nelson; 31 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Tom (Maryann) Bashaw and Peter Bashaw; many nieces and nephews; his three kitties, Molly, Snoopy, and Tinkebell; and his best friend, his dog To-To.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his parents, Leona and Harold Bashaw; son-in-law, Doug Newman; granddaughter, Kristin Newman; and siblings, Robert (Grace) Bashaw, Elaine (Jerry) Grosbach, Sr. Barbara Bashaw, O.S.B., Paul Bashaw, Evelyn (Clarence) Kramer, Susan Gallagher, and Daniel A. Bashaw.

John will be missed by many, and his legacy will continue through his family and friends.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for the excellent care given to John, with special thanks to Andrew and Taylor. We would also like to thank Cassidy, his home health caregiver, for the love and care she gave John during his journey home.

Visitation and Mass will be held Friday, August 21, 2026, at Crucifixion Catholic Church, 423 S. 2nd St., La Crescent, MN. Visitation will be from 9:00–10:45 a.m., followed by the eulogy at 10:45 a.m. Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Rev. John L. Evans, II will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Crucifixion Catholic Cemetery.