Lorraine Ann Merydith

1946 - 2023

Lorraine Ann Merydith, 77, of Keokuk, died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at her home.

She was born March 26, 1946, in Quinter, Kansas,, the daughter of Eugene and Angie Cullen Hirsh.

She graduated from Trego Community High School in WaKeeney, Kansas, with the class of 1964, and attended Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

On Jan. 29, 1966, Lorraine was united in marriage with Brent Merydith. He preceded her in death on March 17, 1993.

Lorraine moved to Keokuk in 1974 with her husband, and they owned the Credit Bureau of Keokuk, House of Gifts, Taske Force, Inc., and Keokuk Spirits. She was the glue that held the businesses and family together until her passing.

She was a member of the Grand Theatre Foundation Board, Keokuk Yacht Club First Mates, Chuck Wagon Breakfast Club (since 1976), numerous Bridge Clubs, Golden Oaks Society, KYC Thursday Night Poker ,and the Keosippi Kickers Dance Group. She previously had been a member of the Keokuk Rotary, Keokuk Area Hospital Auxiliary and the Newcomers Club.

Lorraine took most pride in her family hosting family gatherings, games and parties where her door was always open. She enjoyed playing any kind of card games, especially bridge, poker, and euchre. She loved working puzzles, played Sudoku daily and enjoyed her evenings watching Wheel of Fortune at the Keokuk Yacht Club. She also loved to dance and would light up the dance floor every chance she got. Lorraine's favorite song to swing dance to was "Rave On" by Buddy Holly. She was also a Jimmy Buffet Parrot Head and loved her yearly trips to Mexico with her Keokuk Yacht Club friends. Lorraine was very active in the community and was an avid supporter of the Keokuk YMCA, the Keokuk Concert Association, and Planned Parenthood.

She is survived by her partner in life for the last 20 years, Tom Boyd of Keokuk; two daughters, Dawn Merydith (Duane Taylor) of Seattle, Washington, and Tricia Merydith (Justin Johnson) of Keokuk; one son Brent Wesley Merydith II (Renee) of Keokuk; bonus daughter Jamie Robertson (Nate) of Cedar Rapids; 10 grandchildren: Merydith Kelley (Brett), McKenzie Marshall, Madylin Long (Nick), Evylin Merydith (Lauren), Brent Wesley "Tres" Merydith III, Penelope Merydith, Bryer Merydith, Kayla Robertson, Brady Robertson, and Blake Robertson; and three great-grandchildren, Luci Kelley, Hinley Helenthal, and Kade Kelley. She is also survived by three siblings, Loretta Neyer (Terry) of WaKeeney, Kansas, Gene Hirsh (Carol) of Wichita, Kansas, and Jeanette (Jerry) Seimens of Pratt, Kansas; one special sister-in-law, Connie Schmidt of WaKeeney, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents.

There will be a rosary reading Sunday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Church of All Saints, with a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. at the Keokuk Yacht Club.

Memorials may be made to the KYC First Mates or to the Grand Theatre Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com