Lori Melroy

L ori M elroy, formerly of Cozad, passed away at her home in Westminster, CO, on April 12, 2023.  She was 63 years old.

Lori was born January 17, 1960, to Gean and Velva Melroy at Cozad.  She later moved to North Platte with her parents and went on to graduate from North Platte High School.  Following graduation, Lori moved to Omaha and worked at Johnny's Steak House.

She married Rick Douglas in North Platte then they moved to Wichita, Kansas, and Lori cooked at a restaurant in Kansas City.  After returning to North Platte, the couple divorced.  Lori  was a member of the Eagle's Club and continued working in restaurants including the Country Club and Rivers Edge Golf Course.

While working in North Platte, Lori met Frank Walawitch and they served together at many food events in North Platte.  They moved to Scottsbluff where Lori worked at a nursing home and later, because of Frank's job, they moved to the Denver area.  Lori became a salad chef for the large Catholic Hospital, then when Covid hit she was laid off. Cooking is what Lori loved and her interest in food preparation became her passion.

She was preceded in death by her friend, Frank; her parents; brothers, Jay and Gary (Janet) Melroy; grandparents, Grace and Harry Higgason; aunt and uncle, Lucille and Clark Hord; and uncle, Phil Higgason.

Survivors include Lori's brothers, Jim (Dee) Melroy of Windom, KS, and Gordon (Joyce) Melroy of Cozad; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Eagles Aeries #2839.  Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.  Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.