Laura Marie (Wilson) Argento passed away on Monday, December 16th, 2024, peacefully in her sleep in Grass Valley, Ca. She was 84.

Memorial Service will take place Friday, January 17th 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Hooper & Weaver Mortuary, 459 Hollow Way in Nevada City, California 95959

Laura was born April 5th, 1940, in Napa, California to Viola & Sam Wilson. She idolized her father Sam, always being his tail and shadow. The youngest of 3, Laura had 2 older brothers: Alfred and Little Sammy. Sammy drowned in the Napa River Dec. 17th, ’49 behind the family house.

She attended schools in Napa & Sonoma, grew up on a chicken ranch in Wood Valley, Sonoma. Later, lived in Napa along the Napa River. After the flood of ‘55, the family returned to Sonoma. Her parents purchased a ranch in Lovall Valley which bordered their chicken ranch in Wood Valley during the ‘40’s. Her parents raised various livestock. To reduce fire hazard, they raised goats to eat the underbrush and raised orphaned fawns brought by Fish & Game.

Laura enjoyed tap dancing in school. Her features gave her a striking resemblance of Shirley Temple. A few beloved pets: A Bassett Hound, a Scotty dog and later a white dog named Blackie, Brownie the family milk cow and 2 burros: Speedy and Pedro.

While attending school in Napa, Laura liked fun activities of roller skating, going to the movies and helping out with homework with classmates. Laura met Tony Argento while in school. The two became grade school sweethearts. Margaret Raincrow, Laura’s best friend since 2nd grade introduced Laura to Tony after Tony told Margaret he thought she was a very cute girl. The rest is history. Tony graduated in ’57, Laura in ’58 from Napa High. Laura and Tony were later hitched at Parks Wedding Chapel in Reno on Oct. 28th,’58. Each with 100 silver dollars given to them by Laura’s father, Sam. They spent their honeymoon at Lake Tahoe. Out of money, Tony bartered a room in exchange for a trophy sized rainbow trout.

Laura’s first car was a new two toned turquoise/white ’56 Nash Metropolitan hardtop given to her by her folks.
Laura worked as a telephone operator right out of high school. Her boss later became CEO of Pacific Bell. Laura played the role of maid of honor on numerous occasions.
She was a Napa Valley Jeepers member with Tony. Laura, like Tony, grew up on ranches, loved the outdoors: camping, fishing, water skiing, snow shoeing, jeepin’ and other outdoor activities.

They moved to Grass Valley in April ’65. They purchased a ’65 Impala at Meier’s Chevrolet, (The old Studebaker Dealership), in ’68 they purchased a ‘68 Impala station wagon. Impala: 1st car to sell 1 million+ cars in the U.S. in 1 year, still an unbeaten record.

In Feb. ’67 with others help, Laura and Tony founded the GV 4 Wheelers. In ‘68 the Jeep Club won Desert Magazine’s “Conservation and Preservation Award,” presented by Bill Bryan at the California Four Wheel Drive Clubs Convention in Fresno.” Over many years the Club received awards and recognitions from other sources.
Laura won the Powder Puff competition at Malakoff Diggin’s with the Grass Valley 4 Wheelers entailing a water filled milk bucket on the hood of the jeep. Whoever finished their obstacle course with the best time and the most contained water was declared “The Winner!”

The family enjoyed countless outings with the jeep at Fordyce, Spaulding, the Rubicon and the Sierra Trek, Downieville and Sierra City areas and more.

She liked the ocean, redwoods, sunsets and camping at Albion near Fort Bragg for Thanksgiving with family and friends, catching Red Perch and Ling Cod and Ling Cod in Crescent City in July. Gold Beach, the Trinity River and the Klamath, the Feather, the Sacramento and the Yuba. Laura even caught a few salmon over 40 lbs.

The family spent time on the Greenwood Ranch, Baxter Ranch, Whitaker Ranch, Andreotti Ranch, Behring Ranch, Leroy Camp and Smith Camp. Great times with family and friends!

Laura and Tony owned a summer cabin in Sierra County’s Tahoe National Forest located at 6800+ ft. elevation, getting plenty of usage with family, friends and fresh mountain air.

Laura stayed fit by exercising along with Jack LaLane including her Slim Jim exercise equipment. She crochet and knitted afghans, baby blankets, beanies, mittens, slippers, scarfs and more and ceramics at Nelda’s “Nick Nack Nook.”

In school, she mastered the art of beautiful, perfectly aligned penmanship and continued through her final chapter of life.

Laura loved kids! She was blessed with 2 sons; Tony and Michael, each gave her a beautiful daughter-in-law. Laura had 3 grandchildren: Jamie, Joseph and Christopher plus 2 handsome great grandsons: Kasey and Cole. She valued her precious time with her grandchildren and great grandsons. She was very devoted, proud, supportive and loving to her family.

A Troop 4 Cub Scout-Den Mother, Grass Valley Volunteer Fire Department wife and Ladies Auxiliary-enjoying the Fireman’s Ball and Grand March and dance, followed by a pancake breakfast and blood drive at the Vet’s Hall. Elks 538, past Moose 2217, 50 year member of Native Daughters of the Golden West Manzanita Parlor 29 – past President for their 100th AND 125th Anniversary. GO Laura! Donated blood to the Red Cross (O+) blood type.
Laura organized and operated the “Happy Trails” Gamblin’ Bus trips to Reno. Laura picked up those who couldn’t drive and would bring them to the bus stop and return them home after the fun was over. Service with a smile! For many years, she notoriously outsold Crab Feed Dinner tickets for the Penn Vly. Hi-Graders Lions Club. Always active, supporting the community.

She enjoyed dancing, ridin’ mules and horses and travel.

Laura and Tony renewed their wedding vows with Reverend Andy Owens for their 25th Silver Anniversary at Condon Park’s LOVE Building with family and friends. For their 50th Golden Anniversary, they spent time in Branson, Missouri and took in the western entertainment to celebrate.

Laura and Tony traveled on numerous occasions to Canada, including a beautiful, picturesque train ride through the Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer through Alberta and British Columbia: Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff + more. Laura traveled Mexico, too.

Laura, like her husband Tony, enjoyed COWBOY POETRY. Laura liked to tour with her son Tony Jr. and daughter-in-law Marci to all the western states, throughout the Midwest, the southwest and Canada.

A charter employee at Ben Franklin and charter employee at BofA 845 Branch as a merchant teller for 23 years. The bank employee Christmas parties were awesome! Where else can kids run freely about inside the bank, upstairs and downstairs after hours while the parents enjoyed some good Christmas Spirits and a Christmas dinner?

She grew up on western music and ‘50’s Rock ‘N’ Roll and liked to listen to Classic Western music on a daily basis until her passing.

Always an attractive lady, Laura will be especially remembered for her dedicated love of family, her patriotism, ageless beauty and beautiful smile. Laura is forever in our hearts.

She held a great fondness in helping others and those less fortunate, volunteering her time to numerous organizations, historic preservation and recognition, attending church services and her faith in God.

She is survived by her sons, Tony Jr.(Marci), Michael (Cindy); grandchildren, Jamie Miller, (Kolby) Joseph (Amy), Christopher, and great-grandsons, Kasey and Cole.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Viola; husband and life partner, Tony Sr.; brothers, Alfred and Little Sammy.

We appreciate, greatly honor, thank and recognize ALL family members, ALL friends and countless others who graciously crossed paths with Laura of whom made Laura’s “LIFE JOURNEY” most exemplary and “A LIFE – WELL LIVED” before walking down the Sunset Trail.

“In Lieu of flowers,” please consider a donation to: PIC Comfort Care Hospice 560 Wall St., Suite F, Auburn, California 85603.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hooper & Weaver Mortuary.