Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Wife, and Best Friend was lifted up to her Lord on Monday, January 28, 2013, at Sheffield Manor in Prosser. Irene Florence Laurent was born to Horace and Emilie Laurent in Winnipeg, Canada on November 10, 1913. At five months old, her parents moved to Crookston, Minnesota, where she spent her early school years. At the age of sixteen, they moved to Yakima, WA where she graduated from high school at St. Joseph Academy. After high school, Irene entered St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and graduated in 1937 as a Registered Nurse. She worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital as a surgery supervisor nurse and OB supervisor. . In 1933, she met the love of her life, Cyril Lentz, and they were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Yakima on July 5, 1937. A horse and buggy carried them from the church to their breakfast wedding reception. Irene was a very devout Catholic and practiced her faith throughout her life as an example to her family. She was a member of the St. Paul’s Cathedral, YLI (Young Ladies Institute) for over 66 years. In 1944, she joined the first organized sorority group of Beta Sigma Phi, Alpha Iota, in Yakima. She also belonged to the Yakima Nurses Association Alumni. Irene and Cyril had many fond memories of their group of friends meeting together throughout the year and on New Year’s Eve, often at the Elks club for a dinner party, cards, and an “after midnight” breakfast. They had annual meetings again on Labor Day weekend at Mayfield Lake. They enjoyed endless trips around the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, many trips to Canada and several cruises. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1997. Irene was always a beautifully dressed woman and would not leave the house without her hair done just right, lip stick on, and dressed to the nines! She is noted for her strawberry-rhubarb pies that she brought to family reunions. If you visited her home, you would never leave hungry. Her Grandchildren were the joy of her life. She thoroughly enjoyed a special “early 99th Birthday Party” last summer with many family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Cyril, in 2003; infant son, Robert Joseph and brother, Ted Laurent. She is survived by her children: Michael Lentz of Hillsboro, OR; Nancy Fierst (John) of Woodinville; WA, Patricia Pepper (Joe), Yakima, WA; Mary Kay Febus (Jim), Zillah, WA; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, many nieces and one nephew. Special thanks to the wonderful care Irene was given at Sheffield Manor in Prosser and Lower Valley Hospice. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday February 3rd 2013, with Recitation of the Rosary at 5 p.m. at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home in Yakima. Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, February 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church in the Chapel. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. To share a memory of Irene, please visit www.lmfuneralhome.com
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