Joycelee Jean Masterson

With a heavy heart the family of Joycelee Masterson notify of her exit from this worldly experience, at the age of 92 years young, in Sandpoint on the first day of Spring. Joycelee was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon February 22, 1926.  Joycelee had two brothers, Robert (Carol) and David (Patricia) Northrop and graduated from high school in Seattle, WA.  In her early years she worked at a fragrance counter at a major department store in Seattle and as a “Riveter Annie” during the war.  At 22, she married Bob Lassen, together they were great jitterbug dancers!  Joycelee was a “trophy girl” for “hardtop” racing. They had two sons, Chris and Gregg. The young family moved to Chico, CA where Joycelee went to school to be a nurse.  Here, Joycelee met her lifelong best friend of 55 years, Pauline Edgerton.  They spent years sunbathing at One Mile swimming area with their children.  Joycelee spent decades working as a waitress in Chico, South Tahoe (spending countless hours on the nickel slots at North Shore) and as a restaurant co-owner at the Lassen Steak House in Vina, CA.    In Vina, she met and married, Melvin Masterson and brought into the world her third son, David.  From Vina, Joycelee moved to Chester, CA where Joycelee and Mel were introduced to managing self-service gas stations.  They built and established their first business in Chico, CA, then Red Bluff, CA and finally in Soda Springs, Idaho.  From there, Joycelee and Melvin moved to Reno, Nevada where she worked as a waitress again until she and Mel moved to Sandpoint, Idaho where Joycelee was a product demonstrator for Yokes, selling products for Kenny Schoonover.    After the death of her husband Mel, Joycelee moved to beautiful, temperate Sequim, WA for her first 22 years of retirement.  Joycelee spent summers returning to Sagle to be with her two oldest sons’ on the family ranch, working with her cousin, Frankie Roberson at the Sagle Senior Thrift Store and paling around together!    Joycelee had a charismatic personality and made friends quickly wherever she was.  Her favorite saying was “Attitude is everything! Have a great attitude, you’ll have a great life!”   Joycelee was struck with a debilitating condition at 87 years old which placed her into the care of Valley Vista in Sandpoint for 4 years.  Joycelee passed away with her family surrounding her.   The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Valley Vista for helping her be comfortable and happy and part of their family there!  Also, we would like to thank BGH for the excellent care she received in the last 8 days of her life.    Joycelee was proceeded in death by her brothers.    Joycelee is survived by her three sons, Chris Lassen (Loraine), Gregg Lassen of Sagle, Idaho and David Masterson (Cindy) of Shenandoah, Texas.  Six grandchildren, Christopher Lassen (Inez) of Knoxville, Tennessee, Lillian Tiffany Lassen and great granddaughter, Pearl of Sandpoint.  Bambi Lassen Burghdorf (Dan) of Dover, ID, Jackson Diaz of Kalispell, MT, Remy and Wyatt Masterson of Shannondoah, Texas.   Memorial services will be conducted at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel.