Merrilee O’Brien (Niethe)

Mary Lee O’Brien was born to Peter and Beulah O’Brien, in October 1940.  She was the fourth child of five, and the only girl.  Her mother died when she was only 4 years old.  Before her mother died, knowing it would be difficult for Peter to raise the children without her, all five of the children were adopted by wonderful and loving family friends.  They made sure the children, although being raised by different families, grew up knowing and loving each other.  Her adopted parents, and the grandparents that she knew, were Mae and George Perry.  Although her name was changed to Merrilee Perry, she never lost her Irish heritage.
In her younger years they lived in University City.  They moved to Town & Country when she was a junior in high school. Her parents continued to drive her to school in University City, so she could graduate with her friends, which she did in 1959. She then went to college, Southeast Missouri State University, SEMO.  She didn’t formally graduate, but she always said she had an "MRS degree".
She was married to Frederick (Buddy) Laufketter III in 1961. And found love a second time, marrying Gene Niethe in 1984. 
She worked as a bank teller for many years, but the majority of her life was spent raising children and grandchildren.  Her greatest love was her family, her pets and her Church.
It sounds cliché, but she was truly a shining example everyone benefited from.  She was always smiling and saw the best in others.  But you knew not to cross her, or the Irish would shine through, which was instilled in her kids, to this day.
In ending, here is her legacy. Preceded in death by her four brothers, John Dale, Donald, Wayne and Michael.  Her husband Eugene (Gene) Niethe Sr., daughter Angela Layne (baby) and Frederick “Rick” Laufketter IV.  Her children are Perri (Greg) Doell, James “Jimmy” Laufketter, Matthew (Cathie) Laufketter, Kristan (Steve) Portell, Gene (Christina) Niethe and Michael Laufketter.  Her grandchildren are Shawn (Tonya), Sarah, Alissa, Lauren (Michael), Madison, Austin, Logan, Joshua, Carah, Clair, Faye, Matthew, Ryan (Nicki), Stephanie, Julie, Cameron (Megan), Kiersten, Kayla, Colton Lee, Haley and Brooklyn. Her great grandchildren are Jaelynn, Briah, Parker, Milo, Vaydin, Avery, Charlotte “Charlie”, Jace, Cayden and Noah.
The family received friends for a visitation at Schrader Funeral Home in Eureka on Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 12 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 3 p.m.  Interment was in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Potosi on Monday, March 10th at 1 p.m.  Please share memories of Merrilee and condolences with the family in the online guestbook at www.Schrader.com.