Rita Basham

Rita Jean Basham
October 13th 1940 - April 6th, 2022

Rita Jean Basham passed away on April 6th, 2022 in the peace of her home after
battling Alzheimer's for the last several years.   Rita was a devoted mother, wife,
sister, aunt, friend and minister.  Rita was born on October 13th, 1940 in Cheyenne,
Wyoming to Robert and Mildred Anderson. As a girl, Rita loved riding her bicycle
around town and playing with her sister Nancy.  In growing up Rita's parents lived in
Sun Dance, Wyo.,Del Norte, CO and Eads, CO. She attended Colorado State University
where she met the love of her life, John Basham.  Rita and John were married in 1963
and had three children, Mark, Steve and Matt and Foster son Robert Blanchard
Professionally, Rita taught business classes for 4 years at George Washington High
School in Denver. After successfully raising three boys, she attended the Iliff School
of Theology where she became an ordained minister. She served as the Youth Minister
at Park Hill United Methodist Church for 12 years. She then became a Youth Program
Coordinator and Associate Pastor at Brentwood United Methodist Church for 13 years.
She was highly respected and impacted the lives of the congregation and youth that
she ministered.  Her professional and personal interactions helped people grow and
find comfort in their own lives.

Throughout their life together, Rita and John enjoyed travel and adventures including
family camping and ski trips, as well as tropical vacations in Mexico and Hawaii.  Later
in life, they shared bike adventures throughout the United States and Europe with
their close biking friends.  They also enjoyed amazing trips to Africa, Egypt and
Israel.

Rita's life continues through her husband John, her sons Mark (Pam), Steve (Linda)
and Matt (Wendy), her seven beautiful grandchildren, Cassidy, Ethan Basham, Ethan
Ansburg, Noah, Tyler, Zephyr and Avalon and her sister Nancy (Norman).
We will forever miss the twinkle in her eyes, her wisdom and companionship, deep
conversations, and her overall enthusiasm for life.

Funeral services for Rita will be held at Park Hill United Methodist Church
5209 Montview Blvd. Denver, CO 80207 at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 22.
There will be a reception after the service.