Al-Rita LaVonne Meyer, a long-time resident of Lompoc, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 28, at the age of 84.

Born in Harvey, North Dakota on March 27, 1933, to Clifford and Mary Eva Heer, she spent most of her younger years on her grandparents' homestead working on the farm and in her family's mercantile. By the time she was twelve years old, she had decided that she wanted to be a nurse. After graduating from high school, she entered a Catholic College and received her degree in nursing. While at her first job at a hospital in North Dakota, she met her future husband, George Meyer, and married him on June 25, 1955. They moved to Lompoc to start their family and began the next phase of their life together.

Al-Rita worked as an RN throughout their married life-mostly at Lompoc Hospital until she retired. She was a devoted wife of sixty years to George and supported all of his community outreach and love of baseball. They cherished their time together. She was a member of La Purisima Catholic Church.

She is survived her three daughters: Mary Elaine (Steve) Mercill, Dane Yvonne Meyer, and Jerri Beth (Maurice) Fuller, and honorary daughter: Jesslyn (Dennis) Deleissegues. Her grandchildren include Christian (Erika), Seanne, and Melia Mercill, Monica (Torey) Dunn, Bucky (Jessica) Martinez, Taylor and Jade Fuller, as well as, her nine great-grandchildren. Other survivors include her sister, Valerie Barrett, with one niece and nephew. Her (and George's) numerous cousins played an important role in her life, and she always enjoyed spending time with them through the years.

Her family will always remember her as a generous, loving, and strong woman. She was an avid reader, enjoyed painting, growing flowers, and decorating for every holiday!

A private graveside service will be held Friday, January 5, followed by an Open House to be held at her family home from 3:30 to 5:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Lompoc Babe Ruth League, P.O. Box 92, Lompoc, CA 93436 or Home on the Range (Home for Troubled Youth), 16351, I-94, Sentinel Butte, ND 58654-9500.