Lori Ann Meier

Lori Ann Meier, born Lori Ann Chittenden on June 7, 1963, in Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on March 7, 2026, at the age of 62. She was the daughter of Francis “Whitey” and Mary Elaine Chittenden and grew up in Indianola, Iowa, alongside her older brother Doyle and younger sister Lisa. After graduating from Indianola High School in 1981, Lori worked as a certified nursing assistant and later returned to home healthcare, always finding ways to care for others.

She gave birth to her daughter Lindsy in April 1983 and her son Tyler in November 1986. Lori moved to Newton, Iowa, where she devoted herself to raising her children. She stayed home to provide in-home childcare, volunteered in their classrooms, served as PTA president, and supported them at every sports practice and game. Her home became a gathering place for neighborhood children, filled with laughter, sleepovers, and a welcoming spirit.

Lori found joy in NASCAR, cheering for Kyle Petty and Jeff Gordon, following the Denver Broncos, listening to classic rock, Alan Jackson, and blues, as well as gardening, camping, reading, crafting, and crocheting. Yet nothing compared to the delight she found in becoming a grandmother. With the births of Warren in 2003, Elaine in 2006, Elizabeth in 2011, and Lauren in 2017, she embraced her role with boundless love, proudly sharing stories and photos of her grandchildren with everyone she met. Even in her final days, when asked whether being a mother or a grandmother had brought her more joy, she answered without hesitation: “A grandma!”

After her diagnosis with stage 4 metastatic melanoma at Christmas 2024, Lori moved in with her daughter and cherished nearly a year of clear scans and precious time with family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her daughter Lindsy McAninch, son Tyler McAninch, grandchildren Warren Breeden, Elaine Breeden, Elizabeth Breeden, and Lauren McAninch, her brother Doyle Nicholas, her sister Lisa Simpson, her dog Jaxon, and many other loving family members and close friends.