Lori Jean Melroy, formerly of Cozad, Nebraska, passed away at her home in Westminster, Colorado on April 12, 2023. She was 63 years old.
Lori was born on January 17, 1960 to Gean and Velva Melroy at Cozad, Nebraska. She later moved to North Platte, Nebraska with her parents and went on to graduate from North Platte High School.
Following graduation, Lori moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she worked at Johnny's Steak House, then cooked at a restaurant in Kansas City. She returned to North Platte 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, Nebraska where Lori worked at a nursing home and later, because of Frank's job, they moved to the Denver, Colorado area. Lori became a salad chef for a 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; her brothers Jay and Gary (Janet) Melroy; grandparents, Grace and Harry Higgason; her aunt and unlce, Lucille & Clark Hord; and her uncle, Phil Higgason.
Survivors include Lori's brothers, Jim (Dee) Melroy of Windom, Kansas and Gordon (Joyce) Melroy of Cozad, Nebraska; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.
Graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens in North Platte, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Eagles Aeries #2839, where Lori was a member.
Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.
Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte is in charge of arrangements.