MENDOTA – Laura J. Roeder, 77, of Mendota, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from an extended illness, surrounded by her husband and friends.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Restland Cemetery, Mendota with Rev. Jeff Brace officiating. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

Laura was born Dec. 15, 1946, in Hialeah, Fla., to George and Bertha (Fox) Davis. She moved to Illinois in 1989 and married Richard Roeder on Dec. 15, 1990, in Ottawa.

Laura is survived by her husband, Richard, and her cats, Sophia and Lucy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her dear pets, coonhound Lou, horse Free Spirit, chihuahua Beaner and her beagle Louis.

Laura worked in the nursing field as a CNA, an EKG tech and worked in several areas of hospital and ERs. She also worked at HCC in Mendota where she met Richard. After marrying Richard, she became a homemaker or as she liked to refer to herself as a "domestic goddess."

She showed coonhounds from 1973 to 2018 and also showed her collection of Breyer horses. She loved collecting anything glass, from crystal to fine china and also flamingos (Oh how she loved flamingos). She loved her flower gardens as well. She had such a green thumb. Laura was a great friend and was always worrying about others.

Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.