Lauri Nelson

Altoona, Iowa resident Lauri Ann (Merkle) Nelson, born 10-11-56 passed away in Iowa City, Iowa, on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, at the age of 65.

It was a lucky day for (then) Northwest Missouri State College couple Robert & Beverly Merkle, when first born daughter Lauri Ann came into their Maryville Missouri world. As she was growing up, her teacher/coach Father relocated the family to Allerton, Iowa, later to Lorimor, Iowa, and finally to Altoona, Iowa, during which time 4 more children joined the family.

While In high school Lauri enjoyed athletics, especially basketball (6 girl ball, the REAL kind) when, in 1974, she and her Southeast Polk Rams teammates placed 4th out of a field of 450+ teams at the Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament finals at Vets Auditorium in DM. At that time, all of Iowa's high school girls' teams were in one class, so the field was huge and challenging!

Lauri was an artistically gifted person, but unfortunately, never utilized that talent to any extent. But.......was it SHE who, 3 hours after her passing, painted the western sky with a dazzling, beautiful, colorful sunset... maybe as a farewell gift to her loved ones? Or was it one of the "God things" she often pointed out?

As a lover of ALL of God's creatures....human, feathered, 4 legged, you-name-it, there was rarely any "critter" that Lauri could not befriend and love. From her perspective, each one had a distinctive personality and she felt she could look into their eyes and see their soul. While growing up, she spent many hours in her favorite place, the old barn on the parental acreage. Occasionally, she gave low level medical treatment to her critters...shots, pills etc. She especially loved her horses. Later, in her early adulthood, she unsuccessfully rode some buckin' broncs in a few rodeos.

Lauri married Randy Nelson, also an Altoona area SE Polk Ram on April 23, 1976, and they were later blessed with daughter Cara Ann, now deceased, and son Cody Alan. They resided in Altoona throughout their 45 years of marriage.

Green thumber Lauri took an ISU course and worked through the requirements to eventually achieve the status of Polk County Master Gardener. She carried a spade in her vehicle to be ready to stop and dig up a flower (or weed) that she found attractive and available. Unfortunately, in 2019 a careless young driver totaled her car and damaged her right ankle/leg, resulting in 2 surgeries, as well as implantation of 2 long steel plates and 16 screws into her leg. She spent weeks in hospitals and rehabs. That ended her ability to spade her flowers and garden....causing a depression that never left her.

Lauri worked in banking for several years. When she heard that Local Carpenters Union 106 was going to hire women, she enthusiastically applied, got the job, then studied, took and passed tests to rise to the level of Journeyman (now Journeyperson). Her work projects included helping build DM's downtown skywalks, the controversial McDonalds Restaurant at Mercy Hospital, a large beautiful church, and many other commercial projects in the area.

Among her favorite things in the world were her family, her "critters" the Southeast Polk Rams, the Chicago Bears, Willie Nelson, the Wizard of Oz, Tasty Tacos, and giving big hugs. After her 5 grandchildren came along, they were the brightest spot in her life. They were her best medicine as she struggled with years of illness from Lupus and more recently, from Histoplasmosis, which was probably introduced to her as she cared for her critters, especially her long time pet duck. Her lupus compromised immune system could not fight off the challenge of histoplasmosis, which is a fungus found in the soil here in the mid-west, but especially in "hot spot" Iowa.

One of Lauri's proudest achievements was that, after being troubled with alcohol addiction during her earlier years, she was able to achieve permanent sobriety. She then "sponsored" others who came into the AA program and were also able to attain sobriety with her support and counsel.

She was a very generous person and loved to find treasures at charity shops which she would then give to family and friends. If you complimented her on an item or piece of clothing, chances are she would try to give it to you. As her friends will tell you, she would do anything to help someone who needed her.

Those grieving her passing are her husband, Randy Nelson, Altoona; Iowa; son Cody (Lacey) Nelson, Runnells, Iowa: parents Bob and Beverly Merkle, Altoona, Iowa; brother Jerry (Tracy) Merkle, Altoona, Iowa; brother Jack (Jill) Merkle, Runnells, Iowa; sister Vicki (Tim Meyer) Merkle, Lincoln, Nebraska & Altoona Iowa; Scott (Cathy) Merkle, Ankeny, Iowa; brother in law Kevin (Jaynce) Nelson, Des Moines Iowa; sister in law, Denise (Vernon) Connett, Pleasantville, Iowa; sister in law Brenda Ertle, Knoxville, Iowa; and her 5 beloved grandchildren, Draven Woods, Altoona, Iowa, as well as Trent, Hailey Jane, Ashlyn and Addie Nelson, of Runnells, Iowa.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 11th, 5 to 8 PM at the Rising Sun Church of Christ, 6390 NE Rising Sun Drive, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with Celebration of Life services the following day, Tuesday, April 12th at 11 AM, also at the Rising Sun Church of Christ. To join the service via live stream, please visit Rising Sun Church of Christ. Facial masks are welcome, but not required. A luncheon will be served following the service. Private interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Lauri's honor, to Master Gardener's Enabling Garden, 1625 Adventureland Drive, Suite A, Altoona, Iowa, 50009 or to the Animal Rescue League, 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50313.

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