Meri Joy Thomas, 51, passed away peacefully in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Saturday, March 23, 2024 with her brothers Tom and Dan by her side.  A visitation will be on Tuesday, April 2 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne with a funeral service to begin at 10:30 AM.  Burial to follow at St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery.

Meri was born June 9, 1972 in Luverne, Minnesota to Jimmy and Harriet Thomas, both of whom precede her in death.  She was an active member of her community, attending St. Catherine Catholic Church and graduating from the Luverne High School in 1992.  Growing up, Meri traveled the globe with her parents and enjoyed spending time at Otter Tail Lake and the Showboat Ballroom listening to music.  After graduating, Meri could regularly be found in the bleachers, cheering on the players as the Cardinal's #1 fan.  Meri also found joy and a sense of purpose working as "kitchen manager" at Sharky's for 10 years and later at McDonald's.

In her free time, Meri loved to spend time in the kitchen trying new recipes, often in the company of Harriet, her Mother and friend.  She also loved watching – and re-watching – her favorite programs, including The Golden Girls, The Dukes of Hazard, and Wheel of Fortune, and was fierce competition in countless games of Uno, Skip Bo, and Connect 4.  In her later adult years, Meri relocated to Marshall, Minnesota, where she made new friends at an area group home.  Her family is incredibly grateful for the special relationships and care Meri received in her final years.

Meri was the youngest child of Jimmy and Harriet.  Her siblings include Kathy, Tom, John, Rochelle, and Dan.  She is beloved by her nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.  In addition to her parents, Meri is preceded in death by her sister-in-law Colleen and brother-in-law Wally.  She will be remembered – all of the time, not some of the time – for her kindness, humor, and generous hugs.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Home – Luverne.