Melvin Lowell Litke was born to Gottfried John Litke and Orpha (Steen) Litke on October 10, 1925, in Campo, Colorado.  At the age of 96, Melvin Lowell Litke took his final earthly breath in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

His German family had emigrated from communist Poland to Canada and later to the USA to forge new lives.  They raised their families in great faith.  This faith continues in the family to this day.  Lowell used his musical talent to praise the Lord through guitar, steel guitar, and choral groups.

Lowell and Wava Ilyne Anable were married on September 1, 1947, in Bellingham.  They welcomed children Terry, Randy, Betty, Kristi, and Julie into their lives.

Lowell loved the Lord, his family, his faithful dog companion Maggie, and the Mariners. He was preceded in death by wife Wava (2005) and daughter Kristi (2019), great-grandson Ben Neumann, sons-in-law Dennis Loveland and Richard Ershig, and sister Thelma Werbin.  He is survived by sons Terry (Lavina) and Randy (Teresa), daughters Betty and Julie (Greg) and brother Kenneth (Elaine), sister-in-law Nelda Powell (Carroll) as well as 17 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family kindly suggests any desired memorials be made to Hospice Northwest 227 Freeway Dr., Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or Lowell's church: Mount Vernon Nazarene, 2710 E Fir Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Vernon Church of the Nazarene, 2710 E Fir Street, Mount Vernon, Washington.

Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.