Col. Daniel Louis La Basse, US Army (Ret.), died at his Venetian Isles residence as a result of Hurricane Katrina's initial storm surge. He was 78. Col. La Basse was a native and lifelong resident of New Orleans, LA as were generations of his ancestors. The ""Colonel,'' as he was called, was known as a responsible and self-made man of integrity, strong will, and clear eye, with many and varied intellectual and manual talents. Energetic and hardworking, he was devoted to his family throughout his life. Col. La Basse served for 20 years with the United States Army, in the United States, Europe and Korea. While in the Army, he earned his undergraduate degree in accounting and his Masters of Business Administration. After retiring, he worked for the Internal Revenue Service and later built his own private accounting practice. He is survived by his daughter, Dianne L. La Basse, of New York City; his son, Daniel L. La Basse, Jr., of Houston, TX; a sister, Rosemary Florey, of Shreveport, LA; her children, Daphne Caldwell and James B. Florey, M.D.; and Jim's daughter, Kathryn Florey. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Donna Rosa La Basse, of Cottonport, LA, who died in 1993, and his parents, Daniel Louis La Basse and Reine Dragon La Basse, who resided for many years on St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans, LA. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a graveside service at the La Basse family crypt in St. Patrick Cemetery No. 3, 143 City Park Avenue (near Canal Boulevard), New Orleans, LA on Friday, October 28, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by L. A. Muhleisen & Son. Published in The Times-Picayune from 10/26/2005 - 10/27/2005.