LaWana Miller Brenchley

LaWana M Brenchley, 99 was born on August 5, 1926, in Smithfield, Utah, to Carroll H. Miller and Elisabeth Gittins Miller. Proud of her pioneer heritage, LaWana recounted the stories to her children and grandchildren of her great great-grandmothers who were handcart pioneers who made the trek westward. She also told stories about Blue Creek, the family farm. A tiny house with no modern conveniences, surrounded by acres of farmland and in the middle of nowhere. LaWana spent at least one winter there, and later she and her family would spend the whole summer there and live in Hyrum, Utah, in the winter.

LaWana was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings. She was always willing to reach out to serve others.

LaWana was the only girl with 4 younger brothers, Eugene, Ray, Randall, and Ron.

She was a talented seamstress, cook, and baker. Also a downhill skier, cross-country skier, golfer, bicyclist, and loved to take walks. LaWana was a quiet unassuming woman who didn’t complain. She was kind, loving and generous.

LaWana met Len Brenchley in high school, and they dated until Len was drafted into the army. During World War II, she attended BYU and worked as a courier. LaWana and Len were united again after the war. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 3, 1947. The first of their 8 children, Doug, was born in August 1948; then came Alecia, DeAnn, Dawn, David, Wendy, Tom, and Jennifer.

In 1952, the family moved to Pocatello when Len received a job offer with the Pocatello school district. They bought a small house on 2 acres in Tyhee. Thus began the Brenchley farm with cows, chickens, and a very large garden. They always had a garden that was the envy of many friends and neighbors.

While raising her 8 children, LaWana also worked outside of the home during the Christmas season at Skaggs Drug Store, then later full time. A job opportunity at ISU opened in the Registration Office and she took it. Both LaWana and Len retired from ISU in 1986. They served in the Idaho Falls temple for many years. After Len passed away, LaWana continued her temple service for several years.

LaWana continued as the matriarch of her family for 26 years, remembering and serving her many children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.

LaWana passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025 at Elegant Assisted Living.

LaWana is survived by her children: Alecia [Reynold] French, Twin Falls, Idaho; DeAnn [Bill] Denney, Pocatello; Dawn [Randy] Moore, Chubbuck; David [Brenda] Brenchley, Pocatello; Wendy [Lannie] Workman, Inkom; Tom C. Brenchley, Pocatello; Jennifer [Evan] Harrison, Utah. 22 grandchilden, 33 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Len, son Doug, granddaughter Kylie, and brothers: Eugene, Ray, Randal Miller.

Funeral services for LaWana will beheld on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Tyhee LDS Stake Center (12146 W Tyhee Rd, Pocatello, ID 83202) with a viewing that begins at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow the funeral service at the Restlawn Memorial Gardens (2864 S 5th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83204).

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