Laurel "Laurie" Lane Merten

Laurel “Laurie” Lane Merten of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, passed away Wednesday June 23, 2021, at her home, surrounded by family. She was born March 22, 1953, in Reese, Michigan the daughter of Lawrence and Hildegard (Benemon) Merten.

Laurie graduated from Frankenmuth high school in 1971 and married the love of her life, Allen Jessmore, March 22, 1980. At that time, she took his children as her own, Vicki Withers of Vassar, James (Julie) Jessmore of Savannah, Georgia, and Scott Jessmore of Thamsville, Ontario Canada. Laurie spent her working years, as a barber at Faces in Saginaw, Michigan, with her lifelong friend Sally Kubiak and owner/friend, Gus Salas.

Anyone that knew Laurie, knew her passion and love for helping others. She spent her free time volunteering and supporting her community. Laurie volunteered at the Butman Fish Library, the READ program for the Saginaw Public school districts teaching children to read, and had a special passion for the shoebox project at Christmas time for the woman’s shelter.

Let’s not forget about her love for the color purple, books, beaches, and wildflowers.
She especially adored spending time with her great grandson, Shane.

She is survived by her husband, Allen, three children, Vicki, James (Julie) and Scott; two siblings: Rod (Florence) Merten, Randy (Judy) Merten; 10 grandchildren; Tyler, Katie (Don) Cody, Casey, Corey, Callen, Kyle, Jordan and Kayla (Jonathon) and Alison; six great-grandchildren: Ayden, Sylas, Aurora, Shane, Victoria and Cayden; a nephew, Ryan (Jen) Merten; two great-nieces: Estelle and Lena; and a special favorite niece, Kathi O’Dell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Hilde, as well as her son-in-law, Richard Withers.

A Funeral Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 28, 2021, at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Road. Chaplain Donald Killey will officiate. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends are welcome to visit with the family on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. A dinner to celebrate Laurie’s life will follow the service at 8510 West Tuscola Road, Frankenmuth. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to Butman Fish library.