Carolyn “Louise” Browning

Carolyn Louise Browning was born on June 21, 1932, in Grand Island, Nebraska and passed away peacefully, on February 19, 2026 after a very brief illness. She was the daughter of Daniel Glen Cordell and Mary Margaret Griffis. After moving several times as a child, she ended up in Lakeport, California as a junior at Clear Lake High School. Her father, Rev. D. Glen Cordell was called to serve at the Presbyterian Church of Lakeport. Clear Lake High School is where Louise met Donald Browning, her future husband.

Louise attended nursing school in Spokane, Washington, and became a registered nurse. In the meantime, Donald was working on becoming a physician. Donald and Louise were sweethearts attending different schools, until they married in 1954 in Madera, California. They celebrated 71 years of marriage together before Donald’s passing in June of 2025.

As Donald was finishing his medical school at UCSF, Louise worked as an RN. Two years later they had their first son, David. During Donald’s residency and a three-year service in the US Army, they had two more children, Mark and Steven. Don and Louise returned to Lakeport, California, where they had their fourth child, Karen. It was in Lakeport that Donald became a local physician, and Louise supported him throughout his career while raising their four children.

Louise was a devoted mother. She volunteered in many of the organizations which her children participated in - Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, Girl Scouts and PTA to name a few. She also drove the kids on numerous school field trips, swim meets and baseball games.

Louise was a loving, giving mother, always ready to support each child in their personal endeavors. The Browning house also became a hub for neighbor kids after school and during the summer.

Louise was a devout Christian who was active in the church. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years and participated in Vacation Bible School for many summers. She served wherever she was needed including on several committees at United Christian Parish.

Louise enjoyed Sunday church services and church activities, reading mystery books, traveling with Don, needlepoint and gardening. She was co-owner of the Agape Bible Book Store in Lakeport that provided a local source of bibles and religious books and items. She also volunteered at Sutter Lakeside gift shop. Later in life she enjoyed watching sports with Don, especially Giant’s baseball.

Louise was predeceased by her parents; her beloved husband, Donald, who passed away seven months earlier; their son, Steven; and her older sister, Phyllis.

She is survived by her sons, David Browning and his wife, Peggy; Mark Browning and his wife, Emmy; daughter, Karen Immekus, and her husband, Dale; three grandsons, Daniel and Ben Browning and Marcus Anderson; great grandchildren, AJ, Lucy, Vincent, Gwendolyn and Otis. She is also survived by her brother, Jim Cordell and his wife, Susan; their son, Glen Cordell; great niece, Emmary; great nephew, Mitchell; brother-in-law, Vern Hough; and niece, Sheri Hough and husband, Christian Coseru.

Louise’s legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the memories she created, and being a shining example of Christ’s love which she gave so freely.

A Celebration of Life will be held at United Christian Parish in Lakeport on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM.