Grace Mauritzen

Grace “Yvonne” Mauritzen
May 23, 1939 - August 25, 2013
Grace “Yvonne” Mauritzen of Lacey Washington, passed away at Manor Care facility in Lacey on August 25, 2013. She was surrounded by many friends and family in the days preceding her death, and by family the night of her death.
Yvonne was born on May 23, 1939 in Mabton, Washington to Paul Edwin Holloway(July 4, 1995) and Flota Maxine Wilkerson( April 13, 2004), whom later divorced. In the 40‘s, Paul was remarried to Ruby Hazel Holloway(May 19,1992) and was raised by Paul and Ruby until adulthood.
Yvonne was raised in Tacoma, Wa., where she attended Central Elementary School grades k-2, Rogers Elementary grades 3-6,Gault Jr. High School grades 7-9, followed by Lincoln High school where she graduated from High School in 1957.
Yvonne was known as Grace Yvonne Holloway until she married Thomas Bruce Mauritzen in 1959 in Coeur d’Alene Idaho, where they resided until they divorced in Nov. 1977.
Yvonne worked for the Forest Service for many years, after retirement she continued to work as a care giver and home health aide for several companies over the years, Copes, Korean Women’s Services, and The Senior Center downtown Olympia, she also helped several different families privately, whom she became very close with, Jayne Cummins, and Linda and Michael McGrath which grew into a wonderful friendship, she also volunteered with Linda McGrath as a Sewing Angel with the mending clinic for Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Bowker St. Lacey Wa. She was a member of the Moose Lodge 1759 Chapter 1422 of Olympia for many years where she filled in for positions as Secretary, Minutes Keeper and Treasurer and she held the position of Chaplin. She was also a frequent guest at the Local Elks and Eagles Lodges of Olympia. Yvonne was also a longtime member of the Lacey Fire District #3
Yvonne was known as Grandma Gogo by those who were close to her, because she was always on the go!! Yvonne was an amazing person, she would give the shirt off her back if she thought it would help, she loved fishing on Pattison Lake where she lived for many years, she loved playing bingo, scrap booking and making memory books for many of her family members. She loved a good romance novel and her daily soaps she would record so she could watch when she had some down time. She also loved to go out to the local Lodge(Moose, Elks, or Eagles) to dance with several of her friends: Jim Arnold and Bernice, she continued to dance on a regular basis until just recently.
Yvonne had four sisters, Roberta M. Laughlin preceded her in death Nov. 1, 2000 and Nancy Jo Hardin also preceded her in death Dec. 24, 2006. She was survived by her other two sisters, Sharon Cantu of Yakima and Maxine (Bob) Ford of Spanaway.
Yvonne is preceded in death by two of her children, Bruce Thomas Mauritzen May 15, 1960-Dec. 10, 1999 and Timothy Paul Mauritzen Oct. 7, 1961- Oct. 29, 2008. She is survived by her remaining children; Glenda (John) Emerson of Redding Ca., Norinne G. Mauritzen of Lebanon Oregon, Tracy (Mike Smith, “Slim” Neugen Ross Kautz {Feb. 9, 2011}) Rene Smith of Lacey, Washington., Travis(Kathy Martin) Brian Mauritzen of Puyallup, Washington and Misty Ann Headrick of Tumwater, Washington.
Yvonne had several nieces and nephews, and several grandchildren; John Jr., Sharlene, Kim, Michelle, Toby, Kelly, Victoria, Mariah, Shane, Michaela, Tiffany, Mick, Joel, Austin, Kendall and Jade. She also had several great grandchildren: Kyle, Jeremiah, Gracie, Mason, Noah, Joey, Leah, Paige, Wyatt, Noelle, Conner, Sierra, Aubry, Naomi, Liam, Kale and Kiona.

Yvonne’s cremation was preformed by Smart Cremation, her Celebration of Life will be held on September 14, 2013 at Nisqually Tribal Center in the Old Gym, 4816 She Nah Num Dr. Olympia 98513 from 12:00-4:00. For questions contact: Misty Headrick at 360-528-1524 or Tracy Smith at 360-918-3710.In lieu of cut flowers Yvonne appreciated live plants or flowers. Donations can be made in Yvonne’s name at the time of service. Per Yvonne’s wishes, it is asked that everyone wear a piece of red clothing.
Thank you all….and bless those of you who knew her!!!