Elizabeth "Liz" Jane Merrill

Elizabeth “Liz” Jane Merrill, 93, of Henderson, formerly of Minden, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Legacy Square in Henderson. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Minden United Methodist Church with Rev. Kayla Mangrich officiating. The service will be streamed to the church’s YouTube and Facebook pages. Private family interment will be held prior to services at the Minden Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Liz’s honor are kindly suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Elizabeth “Liz” Jane Merrill was born on June 24, 1932, in Clay Center, Nebraska to Ivan and Hildred (McNeal) Richert. She grew up in the Clay Center area and graduated from Clay Center High School. She was united in marriage to Dale W. Merrill on February 5, 1950, in Smith Center, KS and to this union, four children were born: Susan, Cynthia, Mark and Jon. The family made their home in Hastings and moved to Minden after Dale’s retirement. Liz was a homemaker until her children were grown, then she began working as a bookkeeper. She worked for Mode-o-day, Rivoli and Strand Theatres, Pepsi, and Custer Federal Bank. Liz was a member of Minden United Methodist Church. She enjoyed bowling, jigsaw puzzles, as well as playing bridge, cribbage, and board games. Liz quilted hundreds of baby blankets that were given out in NICUs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Children’s Hospital in Omaha. She also enjoyed gardening, crocheting and reading. Liz loved spending time with her family. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Susan (Al) Lorenz of Council Bluffs, IA, Cynthia (Monte) Burger of Aurora, Mark (Sherri) Merrill of Minden, and Jon (Dawn) Merrill of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Chad (Jamie) Lorenz, Seth (Jenna) Lorenz, Tye (Amy) Burger, Molly (Eric) Schlegel, Kahjon Owen, Katiana (James) Conner, Kirston (Deo) Welch, Dirk (Cecilia) Merrill, and Melissa (Jordan White) Merrill; great-grandchildren, Emma, Sawyer, Evan, Kendall, Cooper, Madeline, Morgan, Ella, Zane, Chase, Charles, Christian, Colton, Katherine, Kirstiana, Kaige, Cadence, Karyna, Chloe, Maddison, Hannah, Zola, Zeke, Zuri; great-great-grandchildren, Winston, Penelope, Arthur and Mary; as well as a host of extended relatives and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale, and sister, Mary Ellen (Warren) Brooks. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Elizabeth "Liz" Jane Merrill

June 24, 1932 - January 15, 2026