Laurie Sue Meyer

Laurie Sue Meyer, who many called the cat with a thousand lives, completed her final life on Friday, April 26^th, 2024, at the age of sixty-eight.

Laurie was born in Kansas City, MO on October 18^th, 1955, to James Richard Rudy (an engineer for the Atomic Energy Commission during WWII) and June Ann Clark (a nurse during WWII) at Menorah Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She spent her formative years imbuing herself with her father’s impish humor in Missouri before moving with her mother to Ft. Myers, Florida in the first grade. She spent much of her girlhood outside setting crab traps on the beaches or hauling 10-pounder catfish from Lake Lotawana during her visits with her father.

As a teen, Laurie’s mother passed away and Laurie moved back in with her father at Lake Lotawana, MO, where she graduated from Lee’s Summit High School. She went on to acquire her BSN in nursing from Avila University and Research College of Nursing and soon after became an invaluable member of the ER and ICU staff at Research Medical Center.

While Laurie was incredibly proud of her nursing career, her second calling in life was dedicated to raising her two children. She encouraged her son James Scott Meyer and daughter Julianne Elizabeth Meyer to love the outdoors as much as she did, and the family spent many years living at C-11 on Lake Lotawana swimming, camping, fishing, and boating.

Though Laurie retired early due to series of strokes, she never let her health prevent her from pursuing her passions. She spent her retirement years volunteering for numerous organizations, such as being a docent at the Kansas City Zoo and lending aid and companionship to the elderly. She was well-known at the local animal shelters for her volunteer work and love of animals. Her compassion for those in need did not stop at volunteer work; Laurie was also a consistent charitable donor to the World Wildlife Fund, Battle Buddies, the Humane Society, Audobon Society, Doctors Without Borders, and Hope House, among many others.

Outside of volunteer work, Laurie loved spending time outside gardening, reading a good book in the sun, swimming, dancing, partying, and traveling the world. She was a well-known prankster amongst family and friends, always looking to make someone smile or roll their eyes.

Laurie was preceded in death by her father James Richard Rudy, mother June Anne Clark, older sister Merry Jo Throneberry, and older brother Robert Richard Rudy. She is survived by her son James Scott Meyer, daughter Julianne Elizabeth Meyer, older sister Janet Andrews, brother-in-law Tom Throneberry, partner Edward Ryan, and countless loyal nieces and nephews.

She will be interred beside her father at Longview Cemetery in Kansas City, MO. Rather than focusing on her death, Laurie made sure to let her family know that she was ready to party and dance on the beach again. A festive Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at Longview Lake, complete with BBQ, a bagpiper, and “Forever Young” playing in the background. All will greatly miss her quick wit and adventurous spirit!