Leanne Brown

Leanne Brown was born November 29, 1942, and passed away June 28, 2022, with her family by her side.

She was born and lived primarily in Spokane County, first in the valley, attending St. Pascals School and then West Valley High School. While living at home with her parents, Dorothy and Gerry Lukens, and her brother Richard, she helped her parents with the family businesses. She was an active participant in Campfire Girls and played the organ at St. Pascals Church services. Leanne enjoyed the outdoors, starting as a 3-yearold on ice skates and later enjoying family outings at Priest Lake.

Following high school, Leanne attended Washington State University and was a true Coug through and through.  She graduated with a degree in education and began her career in Portland, Oregon teaching 1st grade.  Soon after, she met her husband Russ at the Coeur d’ Alene hydroplane races. Leanne returned to teach for the Medical Lake School District at Blair Elementary School on Fairchild Airforce Base. Leanne and Russ married in November 1966. 

Leanne and Russ built their home in Medical Lake and raised two children, Scott and Kim. Leanne was the mom of mom’s opening her house and candy drawer to all friends, neighbors, and family.  She loved everyone with her whole heart rejoicing in their successes and comforting their struggles with kind words and huge hugs.  While staying home with her children Leanne started a preschool in her basement before returning to continue her teaching career at Blair. She was a true teacher and educator her whole life.

Once Leanne retired in 2003 due to the impending birth of two granddaughters, Leanne and Russ traveled throughout Europe and took several cruises seeing Alaska, the Caribbean, and Panama Canal, with Leanne making sure to bring back Christmas ornaments for the grandchildren from each adventure.  They also began their volunteering with the Spokane Lilac Festival where Leanne was a liaison for the Medical Lake High School Lilac Court Candidates and a coordinator for the hospitality suite at the festival. In 2006 Leanne was First Lady of the Festival as Russ served as President.

Most recently Leanne has enjoyed spending her days supporting her grandchildren in all of their endeavors whether it be on the basketball court, soccer pitch, ball field, cross country course, in the theater, or simply fun days at Priest Lake.   Grandma loved to take care of her grandkids.

Leanne is survived by her husband Russ Brown, children Kim Headrick (Curtis), Scott Brown (Stephanie), grandchildren Spencer, Blake, Paige, Peyton, Reid, Zoe, Addison, and Aiden, and her brother Richard Lukens (Lynda) as well as her nephews, Chad and Nicholas Lukens, and Jeff Brown.

A celebration of life will be

held on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at 11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Medical Lake.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Leanne’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Spokane Lilac Festival

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