Evonne Sue Lowther, 84

Evonne Sue Lowther, 84, left this earth for a better place on Feb. 27, 2022, at the Schneidmiller House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Evonne (Vonnie) was born to Arthur R. and Vera E. Trott on May 5, 1937, in Freewater, Ore. As a child Vonnie’s family lived in Tollgate, Ore., Greenacres, Wash., Priest River, Idaho, Newport, Wash., Usk, Wash., Plummer, Idaho, Elk River, Idaho, Stites, Idaho, Kooskia, Idaho, Heron, Mont., Cabinet, Idaho, Clarkfork, Idaho, Kennewick, Wash., Sunnyside, Wash., Kalama, Wash., finally settling on their ranch on Dry Creek near Clarkfork (She didn’t get around much!)

While they lived in the blue mountains, a man that went by “Tex” was passing through on his way to California to play baseball. He stayed on for a while and worked for Arthur. He would look after the children when Arthur and Vera went to town. It turns out “Tex” was Chuck Connors, who later starred in the Rifleman and Branded TV shows.

Vonnie went to grade school in Cabinet, Idaho, and attended High School in Clarkfork where she met Ray Lowther. Ray and Vonnie were married and lived in Clarkfork, Sandpoint, Troy, Mont., and finally Bonners Ferry.

Vonnie was a dedicated housewife and mother to her two children, Greg, born 1956, and Brad, born 1958. Vonnie and Ray lost their son Greg to cancer in 1962 at the age of 6. Vonnie’s father, Arthur also passed away that year.

In 1970, Vonnie was blessed with a baby girl, Lisa. Vonnie, Ray, and Lisa moved to Bonners Ferry in 1976, where Ray managed the Excell grocery store. They were divorced shortly after that, and Vonnie transitioned from housewife to a working career. Over the years Vonnie worked as a secretary at Valley View School, a CNA at Community Hospital, AAA sales rep and long-haul pilot car driver. She also did volunteer work at schools and at a horse rescue.

Vonnie loved the outdoors and her grandchildren. She loved to pick mushrooms in the spring and huckleberries in the summer. Vonnie enjoyed fishing, playing the guitar, singing, writing songs, poems, and painting with oil colors.

Vonnie was preceded in death by her mother Vera, father Arthur, son Greg, brother Bud and sisters Lavonne and Carol. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Fitzgerald) Lowther and husband Jim, Littleton, Colo., son, Brad Lowther and wife Laurie, Bonners Ferry, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on March 12, at Coffelt’s Funeral Home at 109 N Division Ave., in Sandpoint, a reception will follow at the Elks Lodge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or the Kootenai Humane Society.

Family and friends are invited to sign Vonnie’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.