Lori Merrill

Lori Merrill, 77, of Humboldt, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2023 at home with her five daughters by her side.

Lori, daughter of Joseph & Christina (Origer) Becker was born on June 5, 1946 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  Lori attended St. Joseph’s Catholic grade school in St. Joe and was a graduate of Garrigan High School 1964 in Algona.  On April 12, 1969, Lori was united in marriage (to the late) Bob Merrill in St. Joe.  The couple lived in St. Joe and Humboldt. Lori was employed at the Humboldt County Treasurers office in Dakota City for 36 years, before retiring in 2011.  Lori was always one to volunteer her time & baking talents whether it be Humboldt Athletic Boosters, buying holiday prizes for the courthouse Christmas parties or the various committees at St. Mary’s.  Lori enjoyed camping, fishing, bowling, gardening, baking, cooking, dancing, playing cards & bingo, loved finding bargains at the thrift stores and always had her home decorated for each holiday with Christmas being her favorite.  We will all miss the stories she told that brought everyone together for a great laugh!

Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her grandchildren.  They each have a special bond and connection with Grandma Lori.  She was always there to babysit, holiday concerts, sports activities and loved teaching all of them to make cinnamon rolls, Texas pudding and make stoop noodles- the list goes on and on.  Lori was blessed with 12 grandchildren: Stacia, Michael, Spencer, MyKale, Colin, Lorelle, Carter, Samara, Madi, Caitlin, Alex & Ava; 5 great grandchildren: RaShaun, Amirah, Kiana, Leilani and Taven. Not to mention all the family and friends that also called her Grandma Lori & GBC.

Survivors, known as her “FAB 5 Daughters” include:  Rachel Merrill Hawthorne, New Jersey; Angela Croonquist (Scott) Moorland, Lisa Dean (Michael) Des Moines, Kari Steele (Todd) Round Lake, Minnesota; Mary Boriboun (Nouk) Des Moines, as well as her sister Eleanor and husband Richard Zeman of Des Moines, brother Joe Becker and wife Patricia of Austin, Minnesota and sister Mary and husband Herb of Coralville, Iowa. Lori was preceded in death by her loving husband of 32 years, Bob; parents Joseph & Christina Becker, sister Jean and husband Jim Larsen, sister Norma and husband Don Besch, as well as in-laws, Arthur & Laura Merrill and sister-in- law Angie Marlow.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 6^th at St. Mary Catholic Church in Humboldt.  Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5^th at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral & Cremation Service in Humboldt, where there will be a 3:45 p.m. parish rosary and a 6:30 p.m. wake service.  Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Humboldt.    www.masonlindhart.com