Elizabeth Emily Bassler, 52, entered her eternal rest on Sunday, March 9, 2025. She was born on November 28, 1972, in Peoria, Illinois.

Elizabeth was blessed with an abundance of gifts and talents, which she channeled into teaching, singing, creating jewelry, traveling, serving others and loving animals.  Music brought her joy and purpose that she shared throughout her incredible life.

She graduated from Washington Community High School in Washington, Illinois in 1990, where she is fondly remembered for captivating audiences for her portrayals of Maria in The Sound of Music and Eliza in My Fair Lady.  She went on to pursue a degree in Music Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, graduating in 1994 with a perfect GPA in her major. During her college years, she delighted crowds at Six Flags by playing a showgirl at Miss Kitty's Saloon and performing on the General Robert E. Lee Showboat, located below the famed St. Louis Arch.

Elizabeth began her career in education by teaching at several Belleville, Illinois area schools prior to landing her dream job at O'Fallon High School. She excelled in directing choirs, bands, show choirs and musicals. During the final scene of her production of Grease, she amazed audiences by using a real car on stage. She was adored by her team and students.  Elizabeth poured herself into her vocation as a music teacher, including her active involvement in the Illinois Music Educators Association Jazz Section, where she was known for her vocal arrangements of modern songs, most notably Queen songs.

Upon moving to Arkansas, Elizabeth continued her passion for music and education by teaching private voice, piano, trombone and French horn lessons. She also served as music director at the United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista. Elizabeth chose to share her God-given talents not only as a singer and pianist but also leading the choir and coordinating music.

Elizabeth was a beautiful, caring and compassionate person, who never judged people but instead filled them with acceptance and love. Among her many remarkable attributes, she will be fondly remembered for her extraordinary sense of humor, infectious laugh and hippie-chick fashion.

She loved spending time with her loyal companion, Dude, especially walking with him at Coler Reserve. In addition, she enjoyed camping at Devil's Den, going to Crystal Bridges, attending concerts, watching movies and hanging out at the pool.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by bonus dad, Don Roderick; husband, John Hanson; bonus brother, Rev. Keith Roderick; her grandparents; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She lives on in the hearts of her mother, Trish Roderick of Bentonville, AR and Kenai, Alaska; sister, Catherine Alexander and her husband, Kyle of Bentonville, AR; nieces, Abigail Alexander and Helana Alexander of Fayetteville, AR; father, David Cox and his wife, Jacqueline of Newberg, OR; her beloved dog, Dude of Bentonville, AR; bonus siblings, Blake Roderick (Betsy) of Pittsfield, IL and Pam Roderick of Austin, TX; sister-in-law, Mary Beth Roderick of Stafford, VA; bonus nieces and nephews, Seth Roderick (Elvia) of Stafford, VA, Micah Roderick (Amy) of Springfield, IL, Dr. Noah Roderick (Charish) of Örebro, Sweden, Sarah Fitch (Jack) of Stafford, VA, Joseph Roderick (Rachel) of Mapleton, IL, Susannah Roderick of Stafford, VA, Maj. Evan Roderick (Natasha), of Temple, TX, Aubrey Tyndall (Andrew) of Austin, TX; bonus great nieces and nephews, Quinn Roderick, Henry Roderick, Desmond Roderick, Llewyn Tyndall, Mackland Roderick, Daphne and Lydia Roderick; aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear students, choir members and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 901 NE J Street in Bentonville, AR, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025. She will be interred in the Chapel there.  The service will be livestreamed at https://youtube.com/live/S469uzemWhI?feature=share . and a recording will be avaliable at https://m.youtube.com/live/Hz0-L76mrWY?feature=share .

Memorials may be made to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter where Elizabeth volunteered and rescued Dude, or to the school or church music program of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.