Arthur Bassewitz

Sheboygan-native Arthur Archie Bassewitz of Appleton died Nov. 26 of complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 85.

He attended high school and college in Sheboygan. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1942-1946, his family said.

During a 40-year career in retailing with the H.C. Prange Company, he managed various departments and served as division merchandise manager at Prange’s corporate offices in Green Bay. After retiring, he was the Fox Valley sales representative for William W. Schwartz Associates, Inc.

A resident of Appleton since 1965, he was a member, officer and president emeritus of Moses Montefiore Synagogue. During the last 15 years he took great joy in teaching haftarah to b’nai mitzvah students and leading services when the synagogue was without a rabbi, his family said.

“Throughout his life he was a devoted friend and a loving and giving father. He set a wonderful example for his children and maintained a delightful sense of humor until the end of his life,” according to his family.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marilyn (nee Davidson); sons Jon (Tinne Rosenmeier) of St. Paul, Minn., and Carl (Olga Lara) of Houston; daughter Jane of Chicago; brother Paul (Barbara) of Naples, Fla.; sisters Tina Kramer of Deerfield, Ill., and Bernice (Bernard) Chazen of Cherry Hill, N.J.; and two grandchildren.

Cantor Jeffrey Conn officiated at funeral services Nov. 29. Burial was in Moses Montefiore Cemetery.

Contributions to the Arthur Bassewitz memorial funds at Moses Montefiore Synagogue and the Parkinson Research Institute Association — sent c/o Brettschneider-Trettin-Lederer Funeral Home, 606 N. Oneida St., Appleton, WI 54911 — would be appreciated by the family.