Lowell Carlton Brocklehurst

February 12, 2026

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. The family joke was that it took one month for the news to reach the stockbrokers on Wall Street. A homesteading community, Sonnette was so small and isolated that its post office didn’t open until 1926 (it closed in 1967). His parents were Myrtle Helen Quebbeman and Leroy Carl Brocklehurst.

Lowell spent his early years in Sonnette. Life 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 he was enrolled in the first grade in the Sonnette school system; the school needed his attendance to gain extra state funding. 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 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 headed west to Spokane, WA, where he studied bookkeeping and accounting at Kinman Business University.

That training led to a bookkeeping job at Columbia Electric and Manufacturing, a Spokane company that specialized in fluorescent lighting.

At Columbia’s expense, Lowell spent one year studying accounting at Gonzaga University before returning to Columbia for good in the late 1940’s. He advanced at Columbia for some thirty years, becoming a production coordinator before taking early retirement in the 1980’s.

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 another chance after their first date at a particularly chilly movie drive-in 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 they said goodbye to daughter Linda in 2001 to colon cancer.

Lowell Brocklehurst didn’t lead 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.

He didn’t take himself too seriously. But 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. These included, to name just a few, Naomi of Spokane Valley, Doctors Without Borders, and the St. Labre Indian School, located near his birthplace.

Lowell contributed time as well as money to those in need. He was a Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels delivery driver for many years. He sponsored a Vietnamese refugee family after the war. Part of the family opened a restaurant, The Three Sisters, not far from the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church.

SVUMC enveloped much of Lowell and wife Maureta’s life, ever since they joined in the 1950’s. The church was their extended family and circle of friends. Lowell served God through his church in many ways, including being Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of the Finance Committee, as well as treasurer of the Twinlow summer camp and retreat, where he was also a cabin counselor. He lent a hand with minor repairs as a member of the church’s Thursday Morning Crew.

Last but certainly not least, Lowell was a Charter Member of the Dad Joke Society (“It’s not true that Pi are squared. Everyone knows that pie are round.”)

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.

A memorial service celebrating Lowell’s life is scheduled for 1:00 pm Saturday May 16th at the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Rd, Spokane Valley, WA. Attendees are kindly encouraged to bring stories and memories to share.

Interment of Lowell’s ashes next to his wife Maureta will take place at the Pine Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley, at a date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a contribution in Lowell’s name to one of the following charities: Naomi, Doctors Without Borders, Christian Appalachian Project, Family Promise of Spokane, Mission Community Outreach Center, Shalom Ministries, St. Labre Indian School, or Union Gospel Mission.