Lauren Merrill

Lauren Lee Merrill was born July 20, 1985, in Hurst, Texas. Lauren gave her family and friends 26 unforgettable years, and on September 14, 2011, cystic fibrosis took Lauren's last breath. Lauren's final days were spent peacefully at home, and her family is deeply grateful to the staff of HospiceCare of Fitchburg for their tender care. A graduate of McFarland High School, Lauren was a vibrant and spontaneous spirit who loved life and lived every moment as if it were her last. Passionate about living life for "quality, not quantity," Lauren appreciated every day and welcomed new experiences with open arms. Whether she was jet-setting to Las Vegas or having dinner with friends at her favorite Thai restaurant, Lauren savored every opportunity that life presented her. She was strong and courageous and had a sense of humor that could make you laugh to tears. Her favorite band, Hanson, was as much a part of Lauren as the tattoos that adorned her body. She wore flip-flops in the snow and considered gummi bears a life necessity. Her exuberance and irreplaceable personality will be profoundly missed and forever celebrated. Lauren is survived by her mother, Lisbeth (Schoenfeld) Rogers (Tom Walzer) of Madison; her father, Pace Merrill of Baraboo; her brother, Clay Rogers, of Madison; her aunts Lee (Doug) Nearpass of Kearny, New Jersey and Laurie (Geoffrey) Golson of Croton-on-Hudson, New York; her uncle, Bob Meier, of Omaha, Nebraska; her aunts Robin (Sam) Smith of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Jackie ("Jr.") Barbee of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Lyla (Dave) Orrico of Kenosha; and many cousins, including special friend, Brittany Orrico.

A funeral service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Saturday, September 17, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"Fly the wings of an eagle. Glide along with the wind, no matter how high. I'll be thinking of you the whole time." -- Hanson