Basil Milbank Lister, Sr.

Basil Milbank Lister, 92, of Bedford, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri. Basil was born August 24, 1934 to Eliot James Lister (known as EJ) and Thelma Elizabeth Milbank in Clearmont Missouri. The family lived in Truro, Iowa until Basil was a junior in High School. He transferred to Hopkins, Missouri where he graduated in 1952. He attended Northwest Missouri State College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1956. After college, Basil was recruited by Western Electric for added training in Boston / MIT. After completing the course, he returned to the Hopkins area to marry Ina Claire Barnes on June 16, 1957. They moved to Manhattan (yes, New York) and Basil started work in the emerging technology field of automatic computing on military projects. In November of the same year, his father became very ill. As time continued, it became clear EJ would not recover to return to work. Basil chose a return to northwest Missouri to support his family. This involved a career change to education. As primarily a math instructor, Basil taught students in several locations in the local area including Union Star, Bedford / Conway, Hannibal, Savannah, and North Nodaway (where he retired). He received several “Excellence in Education” type awards, including students voting him “Best Teacher” several times. After retirement he kept his skills sharp in Ravenwood and tutoring students. It was well known that if a student would ask for help, Basil would take any time necessary to answer their questions. In addition to being in the classroom, Basil was proud to be involved with teacher union organizations and worked in various officer roles to promote workplace and educational reform. He also continued his personal education, receiving a Masters degree in 1971 from Northeast Missouri (now known as Truman University). Every summer he returned to the Hopkins area and farmed with his father-in-law (Freeman Barnes). Finally, in 1977, he moved back to this area permanently and built his “forever home” on family land which has now received a “Century Farm” award. He became involved with the Hopkins Lions Club and was one of the last surviving members. He enjoyed being a member of the Hopkins Historical Society and spent his volunteer hours browsing the materials displayed as they brought back memories. Recently, his interests included watching news and politics until Ina Claire would make him change the channel to watch Jeopardy!. He was an avid fan of college sports, especially basketball and football. He was addicted to playing Solitaire on his laptop that he refused to connect to the internet. Basil was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Ina Claire Lister, his sister Paola (Maurice) Mires, a daughter Denise (Raymond) Reasoner, a son Basil (Christy) Lister, grandsons Phillip Roush and Elliot Lister, granddaughter Emmalyn Lister. In addition, there are 3 great-grandsons (Charlie, Noah, Bennett) and a large extended blended family of 3 step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am Saturday, September 19th at the First Christian Church of Hopkins. Burial will follow the service at the Hopkins Cemetery. In memory of Basil, his family suggests memorials to the Hopkins Christian Church or the Hopkins Food Pantry.