Laurel Prentiss Jennings, 92, passed away on Nov 15. 2023, in Baker City. Laurel was born Dec. 23, 1930, in Jerome, Idaho, to Frank and Lillie (Thompson) Prentiss. She was the youngest of four children. Her family survived the Great Depression eating jackrabbits, burning sagebrush, and living in a shack.

Laurel graduated from Jerome High School in 1950. She was a dedicated homemaker, who also worked at Coin Lumber, Best Western, Ochoco Nursing Home, and as a caregiver in Prineville.

Laurel had a great sense of humor. One of her passions was singing, she loved music, and if you were around, she would have a song for you. She had a gift of recalling songs she only heard once. She remembered WW1 songs her daddy sang to her as a child to the end of her life. 

Laurel met the love of her life, Willard Jennings, at a dance. They looked across the room and their eyes met just like in the song, “Some Enchanted Evening”. They married Oct. 7, 1950. After Willard passed in 1983, Laurel never remarried, always saying, “Why settle for hamburger when you’ve had prime rib?”

The couple moved to Prineville in 1970, where she lived until 2012. She then lived with her children in Camano Island, Wash.; and Salem, Burns, and Baker City.

She is survived by her children: Rod Jennings (Nien-Hwa), Joyce Kawakami (Myles), Michaeline Martin (Tom), Billy Jennings (Diane) and Judy McCord; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on Sat. March 2, 2024, at 10 a.m., at New Life Bible Chapel in Prineville. Lunch will follow. She requested any donations be made to New Life Bible Chapel.