Laura Belle Rethmeyer (Dill)
Laura Belle Rethmeyer (Dill) of Belton and Raymore, Missouri passed away Friday, May 13, 2022 at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the age of 90. Laura was born February 16, 1932 to Hugh Edwin Dill and Edith Jane Dill (Jackson) in Sullivan, Missouri. She had 3 brothers, Ovid, Wilben and Stanley and one sister, Marcie. Laura loved her family very much. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sister and stepfather, Fred Hertel.
She was wed to James (Jim) Wilfred Rethmeyer, Jr. in Sullivan, Missouri at Temple Baptist Church on December 27, 1953. Jim preceded her in death on November 5, 2017.
She is survived by children Steve (Karen) Rethmeyer, Linda Hattock and Doug (Sharon) Rethmeyer; grandchildren Kyle Hattock, Justin (Emily) Rethmeyer, Alycia (Jacob) Lester, Jasmine (Casey) McQuerry, Bryan Greig, Brady (Jill) Greig and Kyle (Emilee) Greig; great-grandchildren Grayson, Kensley, Beckham, Jaxon, Eva, Maddie, Eleanor, Harrison, Mylo, Ollie and baby Greig arriving this week!
Laura received a BSN, RN in 1953 from the Missouri Baptist Hospital School of Nursing where she began working after graduation. Jim still had another year of college before he graduated but they managed their newlywed finances with Jim’s meticulous recordkeeping.
Laura was gifted with endless compassion and mercy and was the essence of love for her family and friends. Her warm smile and enthusiastic “Well, hi there!” welcomed everyone she greeted. She never seemed to run out of love for others or their situations. She lent her ear to anyone who wanted to just sit and talk and had gentle advice for whatever you were going through. She graciously and eagerly took on working as a nurse for four decades, raising three children, babysitting grandchildren and volunteering in many ways to serve her church and community. She was always 100 percent devoted to serving God, her husband Jim and her family.
She excelled at cooking delicious meals. Laura prepared many traditional foods as well as trying new recipes she heard about or cut out of a magazine. She likely surprised Jim a few times with a new dish outside of his usual measure of meat and potatoes.
Laura was very joyful. When doing mundane tasks like laundry and cleaning she could be heard singing “Mairzy Doats” (Mares Eat Oats) while she went from room to room. Anger, if she had any at all, was almost never seen. The kids remember only one time when she raised her voice at Jim. He turned on a sprinkler in the back yard accidentally soaking the kitchen window she had just cleaned. Laura opened the window and hollered, “Jim Rethmeyer! I just cleaned these windows!”
Laura was creative at knitting, sewing and clever at working various puzzles like jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku. Word puzzles weren’t her thing so instead of the ubiquitous thingamajig or whatchamacallit when she couldn’t recall the name of something, she opted for her own expression, gizziepoo!
Laura loved gardening and flowers and those passions grew right along with her love for Jim. There were four green thumbs between the two of them! A perfect wife and partner, a loving and thoughtful mother for her children, a fun and generous grandma to hang out with and a doting great grandma, Laura was so very friendly and witty that people were naturally drawn to her. She established many friendships in her lifetime with Jim and her years spent in a skilled nursing center with both residents and staff.
She knew where she was going for eternity and could not wait to see Jesus and be reunited with her beloved Jim. After the traditional song was sung at her 90th birthday party in February, Laura exclaimed, “I’m glad you didn’t say ‘and many more!’” She was ready.
Some of the things she said to her family on Mother’s Day were, “God is ready for me up there. I love you but it’s meant for me to go. I want to go see Jesus.” We are sad to not see her, talk with her or laugh with her but it is truly joyful to know that she is in heaven!
Funeral services took place 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Fellowship Church – Raymore Campus 116 S. Washington St., Raymore, MO with visitation from 10-11 a.m. Burial followed at Longview Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry 1315 E. Walnut St., Raymore, MO 64083.
Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO.