Obituary of Rita Elizabeth Kauflin Basel

Rita Elizabeth Kauflin Basel, 90, of University Village, passed away Thursday, August 2, 2018. Born December 27, 1927 in Dayton, Ohio, she was a daughter of Anthony and Cecelia Kuhn Kauflin. Mrs. Basel was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. She retired as a supervisor from Southern Bell. Always civic minded, Mrs. Basel was active with various ladies groups, including the Garden Club and the Quilters Guild. Her favorite pastime was knitting hats for newborn babies at Watauga Medical Center and knitting hats and scarves for the Hunger Coalition. Mrs. Basel is survived by her daughters, Katherine Lovato of Mechanicsville, VA, Barbara Anne Cook and husband, Greg, of Newberry, FL, Patty Marie Varga and husband, Danny, of Margate, FL, Sandra Basel of Vilas, Lynda Orth and husband, Jim, of Jacksonville, FL, and Cynthia Evans of Mt. Airy; son, Michael Basel and wife, Michelle, of Jonesboro, TN; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and her brother, John Kauflin of Dayton, OH. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Basel; and four brothers and four sisters. A funeral Mass will be conducted Tuesday morning, August 7th at 10 oclock at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Matthew Codd. Graveside services will follow at Mountlawn Memorial Park and Gardens. Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to St. Elizabeth Catholic, 259 Pilgrims Way, Boone, NC 28607. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Medi Home Health and Hospice and to all caregivers who graciously tended to Rita. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Basel family.