Sarah Basso, 63

Sarah Louise “The Warrior” Basso was a month shy of her 64th birthday. She lived in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She couldn’t think of anywhere else she would rather be and always said what a blessing it was to live in such a beautiful place next to the river. Sarah took her last breath at 12:50 a.m. on Nov. 9, with her four children and two grandsons surrounding her bed at the wonderful Schneidmiller’s House. She was born Dec. 8, 1957, in Burbank, Calif., to Herman J. Lemmermann Sr. and Helen M. Lemmermann (MacDougall).

Sarah was born and raised in California where she graduated high school and had attended some college. She went on to marry Steven Basso and had four children. When the 1994 earthquake occurred and destroyed the family home, the family relocated to start a new journey in Hauser Lake, Idaho. After her divorce, Sarah lived in a few different places in the area, but she spent her last five years living in the Riverstone area.

Over the years Sarah worked many different jobs including a legal secretary, veterinarian’s assistant and lastly an insurance agent. She was a hard worker and many felt blessed to have the privilege of getting to know her and work with her. In 2005 she was diagnosed with her first type of cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is where she earned her nickname, “The Warrior”. For the past 16 years she has been in the fight of her life, battling the Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, colon cancer, and breast cancer, which ultimately metastasized spreading to her bones, liver, and lastly, her brain. She chose to face her cancer battle with chemotherapy, radiation and immune boosting treatments, along with a positive mindset, admirable courage, perseverance and trust in the Lord. It was these things that kept her alive, along with the deep, unconditional love she had for her family. As she fought and gave her ALL every single day, everyone who knew her cheered her on in amazement as they learned ALL of the things she had been through. She refused to allow herself to give up on life and she never lost hope or faith in God during her battles.

She is survived by her four children: daughter MaryAnn and Joshua Burns of Post Falls, Idaho, daughter Melissa Basso and Christian Horn of Spokane, Wash., Daughter Elizabeth Basso and Wilhelm Lueker of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, son Mark Basso of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, brother Herman Lemmermann of Lakeville, Minn., sister Helen and Michael Screeton of Henderson, Nev., brother Robert Lemmermann of Victorville, Calif., her nieces, and nine grandchildren. In memory of Sarah the family asks for donations to be made to the Breast Cancer Society Foundation.