Lori Ann Meier

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 7601 Fleur Dr., Des Moines, Iowa. Friends and family are invited to gather, share memories, and offer their support to the family during this time of remembrance. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 13, 2026, also at Sunset Memorial Chapel, where loved ones will come together to honor and celebrate a life that will be deeply missed. All who knew and cared for Lori are warmly welcome to attend.

Lori Ann Chittenden was born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 7, 1963, to Francis "Whitey" and Mary Elaine Chittenden. She grew up with her older brother, Doyle, and younger sister, Lisa, in Indianola, Iowa where she made many friends- especially in their "P" Street neighborhood. After graduating from Indianola High School in 1981, she worked locally as a CNA. Years later, after spending some time working at FairPlay Scoreboards, she would return to those roots, working back in home-healthcare, she was always caring for others in whatever capacity she could.

She gave birth to her daughter, Lindsy, in April 1983, and then her son, Tyler, in November of 1986. Not long after, she moved to Newton, Iowa, where she would devote herself to raising her family. Lori stayed home and provided in-home childcare so she could always be present with her children. In their early years, you could find her volunteering in their classrooms, and serving in the PTA, eventually even becoming the PTA president. She spent lots of time driving the kids around to baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer practices and games- even stepping in to help coach when there was a need, despite her lack of experience! She was on all the committees, and always willing to jump in and fill a need. Her yard was always full of neighborhood kids, and her home was often the hub for sleepovers.

Some of Lori's interests over the years have included: NASCAR- big Kyle Petty and Jeff Gordon fan back in the day, the Denver Broncos, music- especially classic rock, Alan Jackson, and blues, gardening, camping, reading, crafting, and crocheting.

But none of these compared to her love of becoming a grandma! With the arrival of her first grandchild, Warren in 2003, then Elaine in 2006, Elizabeth in 2011, and Lauren in 2017. Being a grandma became her passion. She loved those kids more than anything in the world and would show pictures and brag about them to anyone who would listen. On her last night on this earth when asked, "What's been more fun, being a mom, or being a grandma?" She didn't skip a beat and said, "A grandma!"

After her diagnosis of stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma at Christmas of 2024, she moved in with her daughter to have some help as she was recovering from successful, but brutal treatment. She enjoyed just under a year of clear scans and beautiful time with her family and friends that we all felt so lucky to have. She was even able to make it to the ocean for the first time on a fun-filled road trip with her dear friend, Sheryl.

Lori was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on the afternoon of Saturday, March 7, 2026, right after the sun broke through the clouds on what had been a dreary day.

She was preceded in death by both her father and mother.

Surviving to honor her memory are her daughter, Lindsy McAninch, son Tyler McAninch, grandchildren; Warren Breeden, Elaine Breeden, Elizabeth Breeden, and Lauren McAninch, Her brother Doyle Nicholas, and sister, Lisa Simpson, her dog Jaxon, as well as many other family members and close friends.