Mertice Meinhardt

Mertice Aileen Meinhardt, 96, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, Missouri. Born on November 6, 1927, near Antioch, Missouri, she was the eldest of four children to Floyd Farris and Ruth Leona Bash Hunziker. Mertice attended Enterprise Grade School and graduated from Kahoka High School in 1945. She furthered her education and attended Kirksville State Teachers College and taught for one year at White School near Williamstown.

For three years, she worked at the Clark County Extension Office before marrying Wayne Elvin Meinhardt on September 7, 1947, at the Methodist parsonage. The couple moved to the family farm near Luray, Missouri, where they raised two daughters, Joy and Rae Jean. While Wayne managed the farm, Mertice cultivated a large garden, preserved produce through canning, and provided meals for field hands.

Mertice was a dedicated community member, serving as a 4-H leader and various project leader for many years. She was a talented seamstress, crafting clothes for her children, prom dresses, wedding gowns, and numerous bridesmaid dresses. As active member of the Luray Methodist Church, Mertice taught the adult Sunday School class for 40 years and was renowned for her delicious coconut cream pie at church dinners.

In her spare time, Mertice enjoyed researching her family history, dedicating countless hours to genealogy, particularly focusing on the Bash and Hunziker families. She also loved planting and nurturing trees and had a deep compassion for animals, embodying a commitment to recycling and environmental stewardship. Mertice's life was a testament to her love for family, her faith, her community, and nature, leaving a lasting legacy of kindness and service.

Mertice is survived by her daughters: Joy (Jerry) Hays of Luray, MO., Rae Jean (Melvin “Mud”) Martin of Kahoka, MO., 1 sister: Marjorie Harris of Quincy, IL., 3 sisters-in-law: Mary dot Hunziker of Quincy, IL., Rovene Meinhardt of Kahoka, MO., Joyce Meinhardt of Kahoka, MO., 7 grandchildren: Kendal (Robert) Johnston, Kami (Miles) Cameron, Kourtney (Bryan) Zehnder, Josh (Amber) Lapsley, Thadd (Angela) Lapsley, Natt (Angie) Lapsley, Seth Lapsley, 22 great grandchildren , 7 great great grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 65 years, her in-laws: Otto and Mary (Barton) Meinhardt, 1 great great grandson: Rett Weir, 1 brother: Melvin Hunziker, 1 sister: Janice (Terry) Crone, Brothers and Sisters-in-law: Deane Meinhardt, Dale Meinhardt, George and Lurla Meinhardt, Thelma and Norris Gaffney, Wilma and Robert Galbraith, and George Harris

Funeral Services for Mertice Meinhardt will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home in Kahoka, MO. Pastor Donna Reid will officiate. Burial will follow at the Kahoka Cemetery, Kahoka, MO. Visitation with family present will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at the Wilson & Triplett funeral Home.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mertice are suggested to Industrial Opportunities, or Luray Church of Faith (Methodist Church).

Condolences may be left for the family at www.wilsontriplett.com