Lori Jo Neal

Lori Neal, 68, of West Des Moines, passed away at the EveryStep Kavanaugh House after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Lori was born on March 5, 1955 to Arvard and Wilma (Thomsen) Neal in Kearney, Nebraska. She attended high school in Kearney before receiving her bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska - Kearney. Lori worked as a manager at JCPenney for many years before making a career change. She went back to school to become a lab technician and worked at Broadlawns Medical Center, retiring in 2020.

Lori enjoyed taking walks, going to the theater to watch plays and musicals, and listening to and attending rock concerts. She was also a huge Nebraska Cornhusker fan. Lori valued her friendships and family. Spending time with her grandchildren was a highlight of her life.

Lori is survived by her two sons, Eric (Robin) Baer of Blue Springs, MO, and Collin (Stephanie) Baer of Lincoln, NE; brother, Tim (Kathy) Neal of Fort Collins, CO; sister, Pam (Doug) Reinert of West Des Moines; and 4 grandchildren, Justin, Tyler, Oliver, and Ellery. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arvard and Wilma Neal.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Simplify Cremations and Funerals in Des Moines. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.simplifyiowa.com.