George Baskfield

George J. Baskfield, age 87, of Sheboygan, died peacefully on Friday, November 2, 2018 at the
Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. He was born in Beaver Dam, WI on August 5, 1931,
the son of the late Earl and Anna Hammer Baskfield.
George attended local schools in Beaver Dam and graduated from Beaver Dam High School in
1949. He earned his bachelor’s degree at UW-Whitewater graduating in 1954, and then he
attended UW-Milwaukee graduating with a master’s degree in education in 1963.
On August 4, 1956, he was united in marriage to Helen Schmidtbauer in Beaver Dam. He always
said this was the best thing he ever did. Helen preceded him in death in January of 2011.
George was an educator for 33 years. He taught business education at Boyceville High School
from 1954 to 1957, Oostburg High School from 1957-1961 and the Sheboygan Area School
District (Farnsworth Jr. High School) from 1961-1965. George was also a guidance counselor at
Farnsworth, Horace Mann and Sheboygan South High School from 1966 until his retirement in
1987.
George was a member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Parish. He was a life member of the National
Education Association and Wisconsin Education Association, SCARTA, Wisconsin Retired
Educators Association and the Sheboygan County Oldtimers Baseball Association. After Helen’s
passing, he along with his good friend Harold started a support group for men caring for those
with Alzheimer’s. Through his work with the group he gained many long-lasting friendships.
Although he was no longer the facilitator, he was actively involved.
He had a great love for family and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed camping with family and friends.
During his retirement, George and Helen enjoyed spending winters in Tucson, Arizona. They
also spent many years as Camp Hosts for the Wisconsin State Park System. Through their many
years of traveling they developed many friendships along the way.
Survivors include his three children, Patrick Baskfield (special friend, Renee), of Brown Deer,
Mary Jo (David) Opgenorth, of Sheboygan and Michael Baskfield, of Waupun; two
grandchildren, Kari Opgenorth, of Sheboygan and Jamon (Kelle) Opgenorth, of Verona; two
great-grandchildren, Reagan and Isla Opgenorth of Verona, and a brother, Gerald (Mary)
Baskfield, of Beaver Dam. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and
friends. George was preceded in death by his parents, wife and his son, James.
A memorial service for George will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at
the Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 th St., Sheboygan with Father Paul Fliss officiating.
Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until
the time of service at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers all memorials will be given to the Alzheimer’s Men’s Support group that he
and Harold established.
A special thank you to the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for providing
comfort and peace.
Online condolences may be expressed at the www.reinboldfh.com