Delmar "Tonto" Basswood Sr., age 76, of Ponsford, MN, died on Monday, February 6, 2023, at Frazee Care Center in Frazee, MN.

Delmar John Basswood was born July 23, 1946, the son of Albert and Anna (Rice) Basswood Sr.  He was raised in the Pine Point area with a large family.  After his schooling, Delmar entered the United States Army in December of 1965.  He proudly served during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on February 2, 1968.  Returning to the White Earth Reservation, Tonto met Delores Bellanger and the two were united in marriage.  To this union, four children were born.  After several years, they divorced.  Over the years, Delmar worked various jobs and attended classes at the Northwest Vo-Tech in Detroit Lakes, MN, for auto mechanics and carpentry.  He married Regina Smith on September 8, 1984, in White Earth, MN.  The couple has made their home together in Ponsford where they raised their family.  Tonto worked for several years for White Earth Housing before his declining health forced him to retire.  Last spring, he moved to the Frazee Care Center.

Tonto had a great sense of humor and liked to joke and tease everyone.  Some of his favorite past times included playing Bingo, playing cards and shaking dice with family and friends. He enjoyed watching the MN Vikings and Twins on television. Tonto also loved the outdoors and all it had to offer, including hunting, ricing, cutting wood, mowing his lawn and tending to his large garden.  In his younger years, he was in a softball league and liked riding his motorcycle.  Later in life, Tonto could be found reading the newspaper, watching the news or just spending time with his family, especially all his grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Delmar is survived by his wife of 38 years, Regina; sons: LeRoy (Bonnie) Basswood, Calvin Basswood, and Kevin Basswood; daughters: Rochelle Basswood, Sharon (William Annette) Basswood, and Melissa (Jeffrey Annette) Basswood; step-daughter, Blossom Annette; 19 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; a sister, Pat Miller; several nieces and nephews and many extended family of Gina's.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Delmar Basswood, Jr.; step-son, Mason Smith; sisters: Richinda Rock, Margaret "Dolly" Basswood, Debra Conklin, Mary Lou Basswood, Rosetta Basswood, Doris Weaver, and Jenny Mae Basswood; brothers: Richard, Maynard, Albert Jr. and Rolland Sr.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at the Old Pine Point School in Pine Point, MN. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service at the school. Military honors will be held immediately following the service in the school parking lot.  Burial will follow in the Basswood Family Cemetery.

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