Butch Baasi

SERVICE: A gathering of family and friends will be from noon until the 1 pm memorial service Thursday at the Clinton Town Hall in Iron with Pastor Arthur Dale officiating. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.o

Oliver W. "Butch" Baasi, 65, of Iron passed away Sunday, July 12, 2009, after a lengthy illness at his home with his family by his side. Butch was born at home on April 9, 1944, to Oliver and Ann (Sherock) Baasi and was a lifelong Iron resident.He was a graduate of the Cherry High School and the Duluth Vo-Tech. After serving in the Army National Guard, he worked for Malton Electric and General Electric before beginning his business in 1986. He owned and operated Midtown Machine and Mechanical in Iron, teaching his son Rob the trade and business. During his career he also worked repairing engines and generators on iron ore ships throughout the Great Lakes.

Butch was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association of Hibbing, and he loved politics, his Harley and his dogs. He traveled around the world looking for new adventures and liked to experience different cultures. His dream was to build and fly his own airplane, which was interrupted by his illness.

Butch is survived by his sons, Kenneth (Kim) Baasi of Iron and Robert (Amy) Baasi of Cherry; his sister, Mary Ann Vukich (Lauren Nelson), of Britt; grandchildren, Kory, Andrea, Tiffany, Olivia, and Isabelle; three great-grandchildren; a nephew, Michael Vukich, of Virginia; and his other "kids," dogs Bernice and Willie.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his dog Ernie.