Josephine M. Mason

Josephine M. Mason, age 97, of Montrose, passed away Jan. 18, 2013 at the Montrose Memorial Hospital.  Josephine was born May 3, 1915 to George and Gladys (Street) Nickerson in Hiawatha, UT., a small coal mining town not to far from Price, UT.  Her siblings consisted of two sisters, the eldest, Gladys Marie, and the youngest, Georgeine.  Josephine lived in Helper, UT., as a small child, then moved to Solider Summit, UT. to start the first grade.  Josephine graduated from high school in Grand Junction, CO.  She had such fond memories of her childhood and a lot of fun and laughter with her family.  Some of those memories include hikes with her teacher and the class, school plays, taffy pulling, making candy and surprise parties.  Josephine’s family was very active in their church, Sunday school, and raising their children.

Josephine married Harlo A. Johnson in 1934 in Ouray, CO., and three children were born. The three children consisted of two sons, Harlo Paul and Larry Dean, and one daughter, Susan Marie.  The Johnson family resided in Colona, CO.  Harlo preceded Josephine in death in 1983.   She then met Hal Mason and they were married in 1984. They resided in Colona for six years before moving to Montrose in 1990, where they made their home until Hal passed away four years later.

Surviving family members include her three children and their spouses: Harlo Paul and Dee Johnson of Boulder, CO., Larry Dean and Joan Johnson of Olathe, CO., and Susan Marie and Jim Ray of Montrose, CO.; her eight grandchildren and their spouses: Barbie and Jerry Kauffman, Mike and Shirley Johnson, Tina and Michael Allec, Brenda and Alexi Adamson, Kevin Johnson, Mitch Johnson, Jerry Simoens, and Tim Deltonto; her eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, both spouses, one great-great grandchild, and her best friend, Elsie Ahberg.

A Funeral Service in celebration of Josephine’s life will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013 at 11:00 am at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Paul Nystrom officiating.  Interment will follow the service at Grand View Cemetery, West of Montrose.  Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, CO.