Kathy Rae Merrick

Kathy Rae Merrick, age 70, died at Alomere Health Hospital in Alexandria, Minnesota on March 16, 2023, surrounded by family and friends.

Kathy was born May 5, 1952, in Hutchinson, Minnesota to (Helen) Jean Merrick and Lawrence “Larry” Merrick. She graduated Hutchinson High School with the Class of 1970. She raised her two daughters in the Twin Cities and settled in Alexandria with her younger daughter, Quinn, when her older, Kelly, moved out for college. Growing up in a small town, she was happy to be living in one again.

In the Alexandria area, she worked in the home health care industry in various roles. She was an avid bowler for decades, enjoyed theater, Art-in-the-Park and other local events, and never missed a day of “General Hospital” or “Jeopardy”.

Due to Scleroderma, an autoimmune disease, which eventually caused lung cancer, she bravely navigated a plethora of treatments, stubbornly outlasting her prognosis by several years, and became a favorite of the Oncology department over the last year. All the doctors, nurses, and health staff coordinating her care worked hard to keep her going, and her family thanks them profusely.

Kathy is survived by daughter, Kelly Merrick (Andy Melberg), and their daughters, Mina and Maren; daughter, Quinn Grossy, her sons, Garin and Zane, and daughters, Persephone and Erymiah; sister, Ronna (Delano) Eslinger; brother, John (Piilani) Merrick.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Larry, and brother, Robert Merrick.