Merlene Linder
July 5, 1939 - November 10, 2025
Merlene Linder, age 86, of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.
Born July 5, 1939, in Kirksville, Missouri, the daughter of Merl and Pauline (Wilson) Plumlee. On August 30, 1973, in La Plata, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Neil Linder, who preceded her in death on April 25, 2021.
Also preceding her in death were her parents.
Surviving are six children, Karen (Travis) Gilmore, Kendall (Brenda) Williams, Koni (Carl) Hagar, all of La Plata, Missouri, Alan (Brenda) Linder of Green Castle, Missouri, Sherri (Dan Welby) Lindquist of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jeanna (Steve) Delgado of Tempe, Arizona; fourteen grandchildren, Staci (Cassarius Meeks) Hanton of Columbia, Missouri; Karla (Jeremiah) Jackson, Wendi (Brenton) Travis, all of La Plata, Missouri; Hali (Carli) Wear of Carthage, Illinois; Renee Adams, of La Plata, Missouri; Jesse (Chasity) Peavler of Atlanta, Missouri; Brent Williams, and Kelcey Williams both of La Plata, Missouri; Joshua (Talia) Lindquist, of Kansas City, Missouri; Andrea Lindquist, of Kirkwood, Missouri; Koby Linder of Green Castle, Missouri; Maria (Khodie) Coleman, of Phoenix, Arizona; Kara Delgado, of Dallas, Texas; Nick (Lauren) Delgado of St. Louis, Missouri. 30 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Merlene spent most of her life in La Plata, where she graduated from La Plata High School in 1957 and was a member of the La Plata Christian Church. She loved to travel, play cards, and was always happy to lend a hand to her family whenever needed. Above all, she cherished attending her grandchildren’s ball games, where she was their biggest fan.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri. Visitation will start at 10:00 a.m.
Inurnment will be in the La Plata Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials in memory of Merlene may be made to the La Plata Bulldog Backers. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.
