Elizabeth "Libby" Merrifield

September 19, 1958 - March 11, 2020

Elizabeth “Libby” Merrifield, 61 Kearney resident Elizabeth “Libby” Merrifield, 61 of Kearney passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2020 at St. James Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Art Faesser officiating. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to Kearney Catholic High School Foundation for the Bud and Betty Connell and Libby Merrifield Scholarship. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Elizabeth Ann “Libby” was born September 19, 1958 in Kearney, Nebraska to Howard and Betty (Whitney) Connell. She was raised in Kearney and received her education from Kearney High School and Kearney Catholic High School graduating with the class of 1976. On September 5, 1988, Libby was united in marriage to Pat Merrifield in Kearney, NE. In her youth Libby participated in 4-H showing her horses, participated as a Jr. Olympic Diver and much to her parents dismay would sneak off to Kearney Raceway to drag race her Mustang. She worked alongside her parents running Grandpa’s Steakhouse in Kearney and upon Bud and Betty’s death maintained ownership of Grandpa’s until its closure in 2013. Libby was a Board Member and President of the Nebraska Restaurant Association, campaigned for Senators Jim Exon, Ben Nelson, Bob Kerrey, and Mike Johanns. Libby enjoyed numerous crafty hobbies from floral arranging to helping her daughter with art fairs. She enjoyed traveling with her family especially to South Dakota and the desert Southwest and riding the Harley with her Husband. She will always be remembered by her friends and family for her legendary Fourth of July and Halloween parties. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Pat Merrifield of Kearney; daughter, Kristen Brown and husband, Jeremy of Lincoln; son, Keyton Merrifield of Kearney; grandson, Lawkryn Merrifield; brother, James Connell and wife, Laura Connell of Tucson ,Az; and numerous friends and family. Libby was preceded in death by her parents.