Nora Irene Meerian, age 101, of Oakley, passed away on January 10, 2022 at the Logan County Senior Living Nursing Home.  Nora Irene was born on October 3, 1920 to Oscar Allen Huey and Ruth Sophia (Hill) Huey on the farm her dad homesteaded just west of Russell Springs by first digging a dugout and then building a sod house for his family.  Later they built a frame house with a basement.  That house still stands, although it was moved onto another basement foundation about a mile away.

Nora Irene met and married William John "Bill" Meerian in 1956 in Grinnell.  They lived in Oakley for a few years, but then as the family grew they moved to a farm northeast of Oakley, where she spent most of her life.  After "Bill" died, her children moved her into town because they felt she was too isolated on the farm since she didn't drive.  Later as her health declined she moved into the Oakley Manor which is now Logan County Senior Living.  She is survived by their four children:  Raymond William, Katheryn Ann "Kathy" Meerian-Sutphin (Gary), Francis Dean (Cynthia "Cindy") and Charles John "Chuck".  She had no grandchildren but has multitudes of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and quite a few great, great nieces and nephews.

While managing the family farm and home Nora Irene was a prolific gardener, canning and preserving the excess produce.  As a member of the church quilting circle and on her own she produced numerous quilts, many with added embroidery.  She was also into sewing, making clothes for herself and her family.  Her favorite pastime however was crocheting.  She created hundreds of afghans, doilies, scarves and other items.  She found most farm animals enjoyable, but she loved her cats, including her last one Patton.

Nora Irene was always very shy but when people made the effort to engage her she always had a bright smile and was willing to offer a helping hand.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Nora Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, parents, and all three siblings:  Sarah Elnor (Huey) Sutton, Allen Huey, and James Huey.

Visitation will be Monday, January 17, 2022 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home.  Vigil Service & Rosary will be 7:00 pm.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am, Tuesday, January 18 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Fr. Luke Thielen officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Memorials to the Nora Irene Meerian Memorial Fund, local animal shelter of donor's choice, Logan County Senior Living, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and St. Joseph's Altar Society may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS  67748.

Sign the online guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com