Donald (Don) Bert Browning, 96, of Idaho Falls, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2025. He was living at Fairwinds Senior Living and was under the wonderful care of Brio Hospice.

Don was born prematurely on September 19, 1928. The birth was at home to a petite, young Nellie Browning and Bert Browning, in a simple log house in Annis, Idaho, near the Rigby area. The doctor arrived via horse and buggy. Baby Don was only 3 pounds and very tiny. His mother could only lay a tiny T-shirt over him and used handkerchiefs for diapers. His bed was in a drawer of their only dresser. She fed her tiny son with a medicine dropper. The doctor expected the worst, visiting 3 days later to find a strong, thriving baby. The power of a new mother's love gave Don what he needed to grow up strong, healthy, and able to live his life fully. Don shared memories of those early years, living in a house with no electricity, no indoor plumbing, and kerosene lamps to read by at night. His young parents did their best to raise him, his little brother, Merlyn, and his little sister, Marjorie, on farming wages. Times were simple and hard.

The family moved to Idaho Falls to find work. Eventually, two more sisters, Delores and Kathryn, joined the family. Don attended grade school at Lincoln Elementary and graduated from Idaho Falls High School. He told of riding his bicycle down dirt roads in snow and icy conditions to get to school. He was strong and determined to be self-sufficient. His family ultimately settled in the Shelley area.

Don chose to join the Navy after high school to gain an education and support his nation's needs in 1949, during the Korean War effort. After boot camp and training in the east, Don chose to be stationed at Alameda Beach, in California.  He was at the top of his class in electronics. In his free time, Don would go to the beach and practice handstands in the sand, catching the attention of the ladies. One very special lady caught his eye, Josephine Lauricella, from Oakland, California. They met again at the local USO. Don asked her to dance, and they soon became a couple. Their love story grew, and on August 12, 1951, they were married in Oakland, California, and moved onto the Naval base for the remainder of his time in the Navy. They spent many happy evenings double-dating with Jo's sister, Patty, and her husband, Jim Jones; a friendship that endured through the lives of both couples.

In 1952, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where they lived and raised their family for 73 years of a true "Love Story." Together, they raised six sons and two daughters. Jo was a stay-at-home mother until their youngest child started school. Don honed his skills in electronics while working at local businesses. He worked hard hours and soon opened his own business, Browning's Appliance Service (TV and Radio Repair), plus small home appliances. His hard work paid off as locals all knew who to call first when they needed an honest and capable repairman. Jo became his secretary and bookkeeper. Don always worked hard, but found the time needed to be at home in the kitchen helping at mealtime, keeping laundry caught up, including all of those cloth diapers.

Don always enjoyed tending to his acre of lawn, garden, and flowerbeds. He enjoyed bank fishing and camping. He stayed young playing basketball with his kids. He spent time bird hunting with his sons and always enjoyed taking the time needed to tinker on his vehicles. He was especially focused on clean, shiny, well-maintained family cars and business vans. This planted the seed for a real love of classic cars, especially with his kids. The ownership of many very nice cars brought personal pride and years of enjoyment, together with attending local car shows.

Don and Jo enjoyed playing cards with a wonderful group of couples for many years. They also loved to dance, square dancing monthly with a local troop in their early years, then as often as they could find local bands to dance Western Swing and Waltzing. In their later years together, they joined Eagles Lodge #576 in Idaho Falls to meet every weekend for dancing to the current band's music and spending time with their grown children.

Home and family were precious to Don. Small pleasures and simple joys were enough. His wife, Jo, his children and their families were the foundation of most social events. They enjoyed their big, busy family and were proud of their children.

They enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Vancouver, Canada, Philadelphia, and New York, with many short trips to Jackson, Wyoming, Butte, Montana, Glacier National Park, Island Park, and Boise. Always with their grown children and the Joneses to share their life experiences.

He is survived by his sons: Stephen (Mamie) Browning of Idaho Falls, Michael (Teresa) Browning of Boise, Donald F. Browning of Idaho Falls, Joseph (Stacy) Browning of Idaho Falls, John (Tami) Browning of Idaho Falls, and Mark (Lisa) Browning of Idaho Falls: his daughters: Patricia (Tony) Kriegh of Idaho Falls, and Kathleen (John) Espinosa of Idaho Falls; his brother, Merlyn (Shirley) Browning of Shelley; 24 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by the great love of his life and his wife of 73 years, Josephine C. Browning; his parents, Bert and Nellie Browning; his sisters: Margorie (Jack) Park, Delores (Carl) Stevens, Kathryn (Shane) Stears; his daughter-in-law, Debbie (Don) Browning; and his great-granddaughter, Evelyn Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the local veterans program at Center for Hope Veterans Program, 530 E. Anderson, Idaho Falls, ID 83401 or to the Idaho Falls Eagle Lodge #576, 635 Hemmert Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. The family will meet with friends and family from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, July 11, 2025, and from 10:30-10:45 a.m., prior to services, both at Coltrin Mortuary. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery. Condolences may be sent online to www.coltrinmortuary.com.