Lauretta Marie Mason

Lauretta Marie (Jensen) Mason, a long-time Walla Walla County Health nurse, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at Eagle Springs Memory Care on June 9, 2023, at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Elizabeth Bauman and Josephine Keeler, and brother, Otto Jensen.

Lauretta was born to Viggo and Tillie (Vanek) Jensen in Lewistown, Montana on December 30, 1931. She grew up on a working ranch outside of Lewistown and attended a one-room schoolhouse in the Snowy Mountains until she was ten years old. She continued her education in Lewistown, staying in town during the week and returning to the ranch on weekends. After high school, Lauretta received a scholarship to Sisters of Providence nursing school, where she earned her bachelor's degree in nursing. She began her nursing career at St. Joseph Hospital in Lewistown.

She married Jack Mason on October 10, 1952, and went on to raise children and work as a Fergus County public health nurse. In 1969, Jack and Lauretta moved their family to Walla Walla, WA, which she, to her final days, referred to as "God's Country."

Lauretta will be remembered for her amazing cooking, positive attitude, sense of humor, willingness to try new things, and, of course, her large repertoire of jokes and limericks. She loved traveling, playing cards, golfing, fishing, and above all, spending time with family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to know her.

Lauretta is survived by her husband, Jack; sons, Phil Mason (Cate), Tom Mason and Jamie Reilly, and Jim Mason (Lynn); daughter Karen Streufert (Earl); brother, Carl Jensen; ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home, with Pastor Steve Morris officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Walla Walla County Hospice or Meals on Wheels of Walla Walla through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.