Lowell Brocklehurst Obituary
March 13, 2026
Sep 29, 1929 - Dec 28, 2025
Lowell Carlton Brocklehurst, 96, of Spokane Valley, WA, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025.
Lowell was born September 29, 1929, in rural Sonnette, MT, an unincorporated community in the state's southeastern corner. His parents were Myrtle Helen Quebbeman and Leroy Carl Brocklehurst.
Life in Sonnette was not easy during the Depression years; one summer, his family lived in a vacant one-room schoolhouse with no running water.
When he was barely 5 years old, Lowell was enrolled in the first grade in the Sonnette school system. He continued to be the youngest student in his grade throughout his school years.
When he was a young teenager, the family moved to Forsyth, MT, a Northern Pacific railroad watering town on the Yellowstone River.
Due to his early start in grade school, he managed to graduate from Forsyth High School in 1945. Lowell moved to Spokane, WA, where he studied bookkeeping and accounting at Kinman Business University before joining Columbia Electric and Manufacturing as a bookkeeper.
At Columbia's expense, Lowell spent one year studying accounting at Gonzaga University. He advanced at Columbia to production coordinator before early retirement in the 1980s.
In 1950, Lowell married Maureta Mae Smith. He would later often reminisce about his good fortune, joking that it was remarkable that she gave him a second chance after their first date at a particularly chilly drive-in movie, without a blanket or extra coat to spare.
Together, they raised daughter, Linda Louise (born 1952), and son, Edward DeWane (born 1954). It was with great sadness that they said goodbye to their daughter, Linda, in 2001 to colon cancer.
Lowell Brocklehurst didn't live his life around any great plan. But he did have great achievements. A secure life. A loving family. Kind and generous friends. A gentle, unpretentious, and avidly curious outlook. Communion with God.
His low-key manner and quiet kindness effortlessly won over many people.
Lowell was an empathetic champion of the little guy. He frequently contributed to organizations that met urgent needs with dignity, healing, and hope.
Lowell contributed time as well as money to those in need. He was a Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels delivery driver for many years. For years after the war, he sponsored a Vietnamese refugee family.
Since joining in the 1950s, the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church was the heart of Lowell and Maureta's life. The church was their extended family and circle of friends. Lowell served as finance chair. He was the Twinlow camp treasurer and counselor. He worked on the church's Thursday Morning Crew.
Last, but certainly not least, Lowell was a Charter Member of the Dad Joke Society.
Lowell Brocklehurst is survived by his brother, George Brocklehurst; his son, Edward DeWane Brocklehurst; his granddaughters, Melissa Po and Jennifer Loyd (née Po); and his great-grandsons, Calvin and Owen Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maureta Mae Brocklehurst (née Smith); his daughter, Linda Louise Po (née Brocklehurst); and his older brother, Loren Carl Brocklehurst.
He will be missed.
Lowell's memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 pm Saturday, May 16, at the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church. Attendees are encouraged to bring stories and memories to share with his many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Lowell's name to: Naomi, Doctors Without Borders, Christian Appalachian Project, Family Promise of Spokane, Mission Community Outreach Center, Shalom Ministries, St. Labre Indian School, and/or Union Gospel Mission.