Laura Lee (Merrill) Doty, 61

Laura Lee (Merrill) Doty, 61, of Riceville, IA, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2023 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

 Laura was born on January 1, 1962 to Harold and LaRae Merrill inWaterloo, IA. Following the tragic death of her father in 1964, Lauramoved with her mother and three brothers to Riceville, IA where hermother would meet Gordon Kleckner. LaRae and Gordon married in 1968 and in a few short years Laura welcomed three more siblings.

After graduating from Riceville Community High School in 1980, Laura studied art at Ellsworth Community College where she obtained an Associate of Art Degree in 1982. It was during her time in college thatshe met her future husband, Jeffrey Doty. The two wed on February 19,1983, and spent 40 wonderful years of marriage together. Lauracherished raising their four children surrounded by a large loving extended family.

In 2017, Laura retired from a 27-year career with Quality Pork Processors in Austin, MN. She then spent her time being a caring, loving grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren. She enjoyed camping and fishing with her family, going to garage sales (she loved a good bargain),gardening, bird watching, raising chickens, and helping on the family farm. Laura looked forward to the holiday season and loved celebrating Christmas with her family. An avid photographer much of her life, she was often asked by family and friends to capture weddings and othercelebrations with her trusty camera. She also provided decorated cakes for more than a few events over the years thanks to her artistic and baking skills. And much like her mother, Laura never seemed to meet a stranger, greeting nearly everyone with a friendly smile.

Laura is survived by her husband Jeffrey Doty; her children Adam (Cassie) Doty of Shell Rock, IA, Benjamin Doty of Riceville, IA,Amanda Doty of Saratoga, IA, and Dustin (Chelsey) Doty ofNorthwood, IA; grandchildren, Brinkley, Sawyer, Delaney, Xander andSydney Doty; a sister, four brothers, six

sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews,aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Laura was preceded in death by her father Harold Merrill, her motherLaRae Kleckner, her stepfather Gordon Kleckner, her infant sister, herbrother Robert Kleckner, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Visitation was held at Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy, MN, on Friday,October 20 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. A family graveside service was held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville, IA.