Delia Rose Basina, 86, Beloved Neopit Special Education Aide Dies

Delia Rose Basina, age 86, of Neopit, passed away on Wednesday February 25, 2026, at her home. A longtime education aide at Keshena Primary School, Basina was known in Menominee County for both her school work and for the large family she helped raise.

Basina was born on September 24, 1939, in Suring, Wisconsin, to Marvin and Evelyn (Olson) Wilber. She graduated from Little Suamico High School and on May 19, 1962, was united in marriage to Varlin Basina, Sr., in Manitowoc. The couple spent a wonderful 52 years together before Varlin’s passing in 2015.

Her obituary notes her career specifically: "Delia worked as a special education aid for the Keshena Primary School for many years." The school in Keshena has been central to community life in the town of Keshena and surrounding Menominee County; Basina’s decades in a special education role meant she worked closely with families and students across generations.

Family was central to Basina’s life and the obituary reflects that emphasis. "Delia was an amazing cook and always made sure everyone was fed," the notice says, and adds, "She would help anyone in need, and she lived for her family." The family also wrote, "Delia was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend; she will be deeply missed." The family extended a specific thanks to a close friend: "The family would like to extend a special thank you to Delia’s good friend Twila Pecore for always being there."

Delia is survived by her children, Marlin (Karla) Basina, Julie (Tony) Basina, Varlin Basina, Jr., and Bart (Lynn) Basina, Sr.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she raised as her own, Amado (Brittany), Bart, Jr., Breyen, Deja, Avery and Anakohsaeh “Star”; grandchildren, Sasha (Sal), Crystal (Brandon), Jamie (Jeremy), Brett (Ashley), Sr., Christina, Issaeh, Wesley, Varlin, III, Alinda, Nathaniel, Bart, Jr., Breyen, Karliah, Colt, Francisco (Trinity), Mahwaehsaeh, Hunter, Marcus, Andre, Dalia, Salvador, Everly, Monica, Angel, Talon, Lita, Brett Jr., Gabriel, Giannis, Armani, Elias, Orien, and Rosie; great-great-grandchildren, Delia Rose, Azayzil, and Kyon; and siblings, Clifford (Marjorie) Wilber, Irene Dickenson, Kevin (Nat) Wilber, Keith Wilber and Rosella Coopman.

The obituary also lists those who preceded her in death: "She is [...] Delia is preceded in death by her husband, Varlin, Sr.; daughter, Deena “Blimps” Basina; great-grandchildren, Ava Louise Basina and Bart Allen Basina, III; siblings, Valeria, Lorena, Marvin, Diana and Merlin; and parents, Marvin and Evelyn."

Swedberg Funeral Home posted the obituary and it is reproduced on Legacy.com. The posted notice states, "Private family services will be held." The Swedberg page shows "Delia Rose Basina's Guestbook" with Visits: 2002, and Legacy's reproduction lists Swedberg Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. - Shawano with an address of 518 W Fifth Street, Shawano, WI 54166. Legacy.com’s page also displays the usual condolence options such as "Send flowers" and "Plant trees" for those wishing to leave remembrances.

The online postings include ellipses in places, indicating portions of the notice as posted may be truncated. The obituary as published contains the names and quotes above as written by the family; private services are planned and the funeral home holds the published guestbook and contact information.