Joseph (Joe) Edward Palmquist, 66, of Spokane, WA, passed away on August 29, 2026 from severe lung disease after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, children, siblings, and many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Before he passed he texted many friends, family members, and loved ones with a simple message: “I’m about to start my new journey… love you, Joe.”

Joe was born to Joseph and Margaret Palmquist on September 11, 1959 in Sandstone, MN. He was one of eight children, and the youngest of three boys. His father worked for the federal prison system, and moved the family for new positions in Arvada, CO and Leavenworth, KS before arriving in the northwest at the prison facility on McNeil Island, WA in 1972. Joe attended Lakes High School in Lakewood, WA, Tacoma Community College, and Washington State University in Pullman. There he earned a journalism degree while writing for the Daily Evergreen, the student newspaper.

It was also while working at the Daily Evergreen in the fall of 1981 that Joe met his wife Laurie. They were engaged that December, and married in 1983. They had three boys together. Their boys gave them the gift of eight wonderful grandchildren. Joe loved to rave about the unique personalities of each of his grandchildren, and couldn’t wait to see what they would do and who they would become.

Joe spent his career in journalism, a job he felt like he was built to do. After his time at the Daily Evergreen, Joe went to work for the Idahoan in Moscow, ID, and then the Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City, UT, before taking a job at the Spokesman Review in 1988. He worked there until 2021, serving as the Assistant Sports Editor, Sports Editor, and eventually the Managing Editor. He was a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration for hundreds of journalists throughout his career. In the days following his death, scores of former co-workers reached out to his family to tell them how much Joe had meant to them.

Joe kept busy with gardening, woodworking, and boating. He built a massive playhouse for his kids in Spokane Valley that was the envy of the neighborhood. He was always finding new projects to work on, whether that meant building garden beds, installing a sport court so he could play pickleball with his kids, or building new rooms in the barn at his home in Loon Lake so his entire family could visit for the annual “Lake Week” with all of Joe’s siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Being out on the lake in the pontoon boat truly was Joe’s happy place.

In his final days he said he had no regrets. He felt he had lived a great life with a wonderful family and a career he loved. He was able to travel extensively and enjoy life. He always said that he won the lottery with his wife, Laurie.

Joe is survived by his wife of 43 years, Laurie; his sons Mitchell (Laura), Caleb (Lorelei), and Clayton (Miranda); and his loving grandchildren Serafina, Genevieve, David, Ellinore, Bernadette, Catherine, Moss, and James. He was preceded in death by his sister Marta and his parents Joseph and Margaret, and is survived by his siblings Stan, Peggy, Bob, Kathy, Ginger, and Mary.

A Rosary service will be held September 10 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Presentation Catholic Church in Deer Park, WA. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at St. Mary Presentation the following day on September 11, 2026 at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow. His family invites all who knew Joe to attend. Joe’s sincere wish was for the funeral to be a celebration of life. We ask that all who attend wear colorful and comfortable clothing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the soon to be developed Joe Palmquist Endowment for Local Journalism. To learn more please visit www.palmquistfund.com.