Laurie Elaine Hanson Merritt

Laurie Elaine Hanson Merritt

3/28/1971 – 3/6/2022

Imagine meeting the funniest, most unique, and sentimental woman on the planet. Double it and you have Laurie.

A woman who would, and did, everything for everyone. You could rely on her one of a kind laugh to cheer you up.

Beware if you plan for Mexican cuisine night! She may eat all of your queso, and potentially have a tall glass of chocolate milk on the side.

Laurie sang and kicked butt at both roles in the song “Paradise by the Dashboard Light”. She also adored scream singing “Whats Up?” by 4 Non-Blondes with her daughter, Taryn.

One of her favorite past times was walking down at the creek with her best friend/son, Reese, and her best girlfriend, Brandi.

She was definitely the most incredible fooseball player in the Midwest.

After graduating from Sullivan High in 1989, Laurie spent most of her life in Sullivan, MO. Having established herself and family there, she was known and cared for by many people in the community.

The time she worked at Walmart was one of her favorite periods during her life. She thoroughly enjoyed conversing and socializing with everyone she knew, and didn’t, and she made every person she ever met feel genuinely cared for and welcomed.

Laurie’s faith and love for the Lord gives her family comfort in knowing she is in a significantly better place. She was saved at a young age, and her belief in Christ continued to grow throughout her entire life.

Mom is survived by her children: Taryn Merritt, Brett Merritt, and Reese Kline.

Grandchildren: Kaison and Lydia Merritt.

Siblings: Sheila (Randy) Crunk and Scott (Bren) Hanson. Step brother Kelly Hanson. 

She will be greatly missed by: her best friend, Brandi Peterson (and family), Lo Robinson as well as her pet best friends, Prince, Lil B, Louie, and Mr. Two Face.

Laurie is preceded in death by: her mother, Judith (McDermott) Hanson (lovingly known as Mamaw) and all of her cherished grandparents. She is finally reunited with her favorite dog of all time, Buckley.

She is survived by: her father, Jack Matthews, Mama - Janet Kline, aunts, uncles, cousins, and niece and nephews.