Lexie Basaraba-Thompson, 37, Dickinson, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 4, 2022 in Miles City, MT. Lexie’s Divine Liturgy will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 10, 2022 at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Fairfield with Fr. Martin Nagy as celebrant. Visitation will be on Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson and continue from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the church with at Panakhyda at 7 p.m.
Christmas Eve, 1985. Alaska. Snow was only visible on the tips of the Chugach Mountain range, east of Anchorage. Lexie’s mother, Loree (Basaraba) Ivanets went into labor during Christmas Eve Holy Supper. Due on Christmas Day, 1985, Alexis Aksana Basaraba-Thompson decided to grace us on 12/31/1985. John A. Thompson, Lexie’s father said Lexie brought fluffy, large, frosty snowflakes to Alaska as she entered the world on New Year’s Eve.
Oh Lexie!!!! We love you and never imagined writing your final chapter of your life story at such a young age! We will always love you to infinity and beyond, over and over! Forever and ever, Amen!!!
Growing up in Alaska during her first 3 years of life, Lexie lived in a mountain cabin in Bear Valley overlooking the city. Her parents were grateful she did not see the big, gnarly moose who would often lope up to the cabin and peak into her bedroom window.
Lexie taught her family about ADHD as her first experiences in daycare in Elko, NV were a bit bumpy. We wondered how a sweet, cute little girl could get kicked out of more than 1 daycare….. somehow by the grace of God Lexie survived Catholic Kindergarten and 1st grade including trips into a teacher’s closet without too many psychological skid marks, but she sure gave us something to laugh about for years.
Lexie did much better in Dickinson Public Schools having an incredible team who supported her learning and her love of music and song. It was painful to witness the bullying Lexie endured, but she naturally loved people and continued to attend reunions and stayed in touch with classmates over the years. Lexie glowed with joy when a classmate made amends. She was quick to forgive and forget grounded in hope that all relationships could be worked out.
After graduating from DHS in 2004, it was not a surprise her most beloved job was working in a daycare.
Lexie was part of a blended family spanning 6 states and was the sister who consistently reached out to her siblings: John M. Thompson, OR, Jeremy (Brianna) Thompson, CO, Sacheena Cromey, MN, Nicole Dodge, MT, and Elizabeth Gawryluk, CA. Having yearned for children and a family of her own, Lexie was “Auntie Lexie” to all kids in the neighborhood whether they wanted her to be or not. Lex treasured her nieces and nephews; Josie Thompson, OR, Phalicity Isaac (Jeremy Isaac), Yirmi, Carmel, Avi, Odelyah and Pearl Thompson, Colorado Springs, CO, Joseph, Christina and Gabby Cromey, MN, Tanner Dodge, MT, and Maxem and Poppy, Dickinson, ND. Lexie helped care for Maxem and Poppy nearly every day. Maxem and Poppy will miss her so very much. Lexie’s blended extended family expanded to Ukraine, Canada, and Slovenia when Oleh Ivanets married Loree in 2007.
At some point in her late teen years, Lexie developed a genetic serious behavioral health disorder. Lexie was a champion in dealing with this vicious behavioral health issue. It nearly took her life many times, either by exploiting her own brain to turn against her or manifesting life-threatening physical complications caused by side effects of the very medication that was to be beneficial. Lexie became an advocate for recovery from mental illness. Lexie challenged the stigma of mental illness, and she loved to talk and share and talk some more! Lexie had a huge support system and would adopt powerful, loving women as her “other mamas”. Blessings to Lexie’s other mamas…you know who you are! At the center of Lexie’s support system was a solid faith and deep belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. She joined forces in prayer not only in her beloved Ukrainian churches, but often worshiped at River of Life and Prairie Winds. Lexie loved to praise in song.
In the end it was that big heart that physically betrayed her. Lexie dreamt of the day she would walk down the aisle as a bride on the arms of her father and stepfather. The day never came; however, we believe Lex was escorted in the arms of her Savior into the gates of Heaven. Lexie passed on September 4, 2022 from a massive heart attack at the age of 37.
Lexi, although our hearts ache in your absence, we are relieved you are now free from all physical and mental limitations and earthly cares. We rejoice in knowing you will be a fierce Guardian Angel.
Being of Ukrainian and Native American heritage (like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith), Lexie treasured all family members no matter how distant the bloodline. It is impossible to mention all her relatives and dear friends.
Lexie was preceded in repose by Baba Paraska (Ewoniuk) Basaraba, great-aunt and uncle, Josephine (Basaraba) and Mike Olienyk, great-aunt, Ann (Kanski) Basaraba; grandparents, Sam and Marie (Belinski) Basaraba, John H. Thompson; and an infant nephew.
She is survived by her siblings, nieces and nephews, her parents, Oleh and Loree (Basaraba) Ivanets, Dickinson and John A. Thompson; grandmother, Loretta (Laursen) Thompson Porter, Paradise, MT; great–uncle, Roy Basaraba, Dickinson; super special aunt and uncle, Betty (Basaraba) Haas and Fred Haas, Columbia Falls, MT; aunt, Julianne Basaraba, Kalispell, MT, super special cousins, Coby Haas, Fairbanks, AK, Candace (Haas) Zumalt, Columbia Falls, MT, and Gerry (Tabatt) Hofmann, Jamestown, ND.
An avid animal lover, Lexi is also survived by Bailey Rose, Lexi’s fur baby. Lexie assisted many animals in crossing the Rainbow Bridge.
Vichnaya Pam’yat!!!! Eternal Memory!!!
