Wilda Lenore Mason, 97, died June 6, 2016, at Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene. She was born Dec. 23, 1918, in Orient, Wash., to Wilbur Houchin and Evangeline (Cronawert) Houchin. She was the oldest of three children.

She started to school in Marcus, Wash., but when she was in the sixth grade the family moved to Coeur d’Alene. She attended Harding Grade School and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School with the class of 1937. After graduation Wilda attended Coeur d’Alene Junior College for two years, located in the old City Hall building, and worked for the city of Coeur d’Alene as a librarian.

Wilda met Lowell Mason in the fall of 1935, through mutual friends, and they were married on Feb. 17, 1940. It was during the Depression so there was no fancy wedding but a loving and happy home was established. Later that year the local National Guard was mobilized, of which Lowell was a member, and he was sent to Fort Lewis in Washington, to Oklahoma, and later to Italy where he served for almost five years. After the war ended, they lived in Farragut Village with their first two children, Shirley and David, for 2 1/2 years while Lowell attended college. After school, he went to work as the Kootenai County Deputy Assessor, a position he held for 29 years until his retirement in 1978. After moving back to Coeur d’Alene, three more children were born, Donna, Kenneth and Susan. Wilda was happy to be a homemaker and raise their five children.

Wilda and Lowell both were very active in the VFW and the Eagles for many years. Wilda is a past president of both the VFW and the Eagles Auxiliaries and was a member of the Eagles Drill Team for 28 years. Wilda also enjoyed sewing for her children when they were young and was an avid reader.

Lowell passed away on Jan. 11, 2005. They were married just one month short of 65 years.

Survivors include her daughters, Shirley Binfield and husband Paul of Hayden, Donna Spencer and husband Rick of Coeur d’Alene, and Susan Peoples and husband Doug of Post Falls; son Kenneth Mason of Cornelius, Ore.; daughter-in-law Linda Mason of Coeur d’Alene; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Evangeline Houchin; husband Lowell Mason; brother Claude Houchin; sister Wauna Houchin; son David Lowell Mason and grandson Alan Mason.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2016, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of North ldaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

Please visit Wilda’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.