Myrtle "Mert" Lawrence

Myrtle “Mert” Louise Lawrence, 68, passed away due to small cell lung cancer on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at Kavanagh on 56th.

Mert was born November 27, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Clinton and Evelyn (Bear) Eddinger. She enjoyed her family and the holidays. She was very generous and was always a giver. She would go without so that others could have. She enjoyed going to Prairie Meadows, going for long drives, and watching old westerns and ME TV. Mert loved her kitty, Ash as one of the family.

She is survived by her daughters, Amanda (Rob) McGrath and Jody (Philip Hedges) Handeland; grandsons, Mathew Malloy, Jr. and Zachary Malloy; sisters, Esther (Bill) Schierholz, Mary (Sherman) Allen, Virginia “Ginny” (Dave) Mauk and Evelyn “Mickey” (Ronald) Johnston; brother, Ray (Nancy) Bear; and a host of other extended family and friends.

Mert was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Evelyn Eddinger; brothers, Larry Eddinger and Billy Eddinger; former spouse, Andrew Lawrence; and companion, Orlin Hendricks.

Services will be held at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 2, 2017. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

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