Samuel Bassmann

Samuel Lewis Bassmann, 52, of Jefferson City, passed away Sunday, September 11, 2011, at his home following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 14, 1958, in Jefferson City, a son of Lewis William and Mary Elizabeth (Struempf) Bassmann. He attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School and was a 1976 graduate of Jefferson City High School. Sam worked for Capital Auto Parts from 1976 to 1979. In 1979, he began work at the United States Postal Service's Mid-MO General Mail Facility and later went on to work at the downtown Columbia Post Office until his retirement on May 12, 2011, after 32 years of service. He was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was a member of the American Postal Workers Union. Sam loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting deer, birds and mushrooms. He enjoyed water skiing, fishing, boating, motorcycle riding, going to rummage sales, barbequing and watching Cardinals baseball. He learned his many mechanical skills from his father and learned the sense of perfection in everything he did from his mother. He was very devoted to everything he did and rarely missed a day of work. Sam enjoyed spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks home that he designed and built with help from his family and friends. On October 17, 1981, Sam married his high school sweetheart, Donna Kay Hoffman, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City. They enjoyed nearly 30 years of marriage together. He is survived by his wife, Donna Kay Bassmann of Jefferson City; two sons, Brian Steven Bassmann of St. Louis and Christopher Lewis Bassmann of Jefferson City; one brother, Sidney G. Bassmann of Columbia; four sisters, Mary Sue Higgins of Jefferson City, Sally A. Morrow of Jefferson City, Sherri E. Grothaus and husband Leo of Marshall, and Sarah M. Bassmann of Jefferson City; and his mother-in-law, Irene C. Hoffman of Jefferson City. Sam will be dearly missed by his family and friends, including the family's yellow Lab, Maggie. Sam was preceded in death by his father in December 2001, his mother in February 2011, and his father-in-law, Steve H. Hoffman, in September 1986. Friends will be received from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home, where a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Fr. Brendan P. Doyle officiating. Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Samaritan Center or Special Olympics. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at millardfamilychapels.com