Laddie E. Merryfield, 87, formerly of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, February 23, 2019, in Lenexa, Kansas.
Laddie was born to Clyde E. & Virginia C. (Emery) Merryfield on October 20, 1931 in Minneapolis, Kansas. He graduated from Minneapolis High School in 1949. Laddie married Lola Mae Rasmussen on June 1, 1950 and together they enjoyed a lasting marriage of over fifty years. Laddie and Lola Mae moved to Lindsey, Kansas where they planned to be farmers. The flood of 1951 changed those plans, and Laddie enlisted in the United States Air Force later that year. After training in Natchitoches, Louisiana, Laddie was sent to Wichita Falls, Texas for training and service as an Airman First Class for four years. Laddie & Lola Mae’s first son, David, was born in there in 1953. Laddie was then posted to McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. His service ended in 1955 and he and Lola Mae decided to return to Kansas to be closer to family. Laddie was offered the State Farm Insurance agency in Russell, Kansas, a job he held for the next forty years.
Soon after arriving in Russell, their second son, Roger, was born in 1957. While raising their family, Laddie and Lola Mae built his State Farm agency into a successful business that continues today. Laddie was an active member of the community and contributed in multiple ways, including constructing two office buildings on Main Street, and serving in leadership roles for both the Kiwanis Club and St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Laddie retired from State Farm in 1996. In early retirement in Russell, Laddie enjoyed bridge, gardening and woodworking, building heirlooms for his children and grandchildren at his shop.
In 2003, Laddie & Lola Mae moved to Lakeview Village, a retirement community in Lenexa, KS. They didn’t have long together at Lakeview, as Lola Mae was diagnosed with lymphoma and passed away in 2005. Laddie later met and married Sally Stokes in 2008 and they enjoyed an active life at Lakeview, including volunteering at the Lakeview thrift shop. Sally’s family embraced Laddie and he enjoyed his time with them. As Laddie’s needs increased, Sally served as his truly loyal care giver.
Laddie was predeceased by his parents, his brother Ronald, his sister Trula (Merryfield) Cox and his first wife, Lola Mae (Rasmussen) Merryfield. He is survived by his wife, Sally (Stokes) Merryfield, his son, David Merryfield (Sue), his son, Roger Merryfield (Zoann), his stepsons Steve Stokes (Karen) and Stan Stokes (Donna), his grandchildren Jessica (Merryfield) Blanford (Adam), Alex Merryfield (Stephanie Grass), Cassandra Merryfield (fiance` Julian Garcia) and Spencer Merryfield (Jacquelyn); his step grandchildren Erica Stokes Spielbusch (Donovan), Shawna Patch (Andrew), Jaymie Davis (Tyler), Scott Dixon, Joel Dixon (Sarah), Will Dixon (Melissa), two great-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.
A gathering service will be held in Russell, Kansas, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary on Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.. A private inurnment of the ashes will be performed at a later date. Memorials have been established to the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery Fund in Russell or to the Good Samaritan Fund—Lakeview Village Foundation. Donations may be sent in care of the mortuary at 610 North Maple, Russell, KS 67665. If you are moved to remember Laddie, we encourage donations in lieu of flowers. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.