Olga Baso's Obituary
Olga Baso, for many years a resident of West Seattle, passed away on February 3, 2015, in Bellevue, Washington.
Olga was born on September 25, 1921 in Menahga, Minnesota, located in the farming country in the northwest corner of the state. The Baso family farmed, and shared a Finnish heritage with many others of Scandinavian descent in the region.
Olga was the youngest of the four Baso daughters (Mayme, Anne, Selma, Olga), with two older brothers (Gust, Fred) and one younger (Matt). In l939, at the tail end of the depression, Olga graduated from Menahga High School, and promptly thereafter followed the paths of her sisters, out of farming and heading West. She worked briefly in the aircraft industry in California, then took business classes in Tacoma, and in 1944, in a burst of independence, joined the WAAC (later WAC). The Army deployed her to the Philippines where her office skills contributed to winning the war the Pacific. Olga was ever proud of her Good Conduct and Service awards.
On November 1, 1945, on a troopship heading home, Olga met Helen Hanson, also a homeward-bound WAC. That meeting evolved into a loving and enduring partnership. Shortly after WWII, Olga and Helen moved to Seattle. Their career paths, Olga in office management and banking, Helen in the printing business, merged with the purchase of UBS, a substantial local printing company supplying local businesses, including Boeing.
In l986, Helen and Olga sold UBS and retired to enjoy a well-earned good life, and enjoy it they did in the company of many friends and family. From a wonderful view outlook on Alki Avenue, they entertained, traveled and broke even on ventures to casinos near and far. They enjoyed all family events and annual visits to Minnesota and South Dakota.
Over the many years, all of Olga’s generation of sisters and brothers had passed away. When Helen succumbed to cancer in 2006, despite the loving attention of the next generations of nephews and nieces, Olga increasingly desired to reunite with Helen and the rest of her family, and so she peacefully did on February 3.
On February 14, 2015 in a small graveside service attended by family and friends at Mountain View cemetery in Lakewood, Washington, Olga was interred with Helen and other family members. Two grand-nieces officiated, a grand-nephew piped Amazing Grace, and a trio of military honored her service with a flag ceremony and Taps.
We are left with the memories of a loving, bright, often funny, sometimes strong-willed friend and relative who enjoyed a Bud Lite a day. Contributions in her memory may be made to the USO or any of the agencies dedicated to the men and women of our Armed Services.
What’s your fondest memory of Olga?
What’s a lesson you learned from Olga?
Share a story where Olga's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Olga you’ll never forget.
How did Olga make you smile?
