Kerry Ann Meireis (Powell)

Kerry Ann Meireis (Powell), 58, of Pecular, MO passed away on March 12, 2025 of medical complications. I hope this reads more like a story because that was Kerry's life, a beautiful story. Although there are sad and difficult times in life, Kerry appreciated the beauty in all living things and tried to capture and recreate the beauty that surrounded her. Kerry was a kind and generous person, often giving her last dollar to a stranger. Kerry was independent, but always there for family and friends. She was spiritually connected to the world around her, to the earth and to all living things.

Kerry Ann Powell began life on 12/6/1966 in Kansas City, MO to Walter Wrae and Beverly Ann Powell (Wilson). As the third child of four, she made life easy for her parents. She was happy and easy going. She would fall asleep anywhere, at any time, often under a table or in a comfy chair. Like her parents, Kerry was creative and made things with her hands and her words. She was an artist and a poet. But first, let's talk about her love of animals.

Kerry loved plants, animals, horses, bugs, fish, and did I say horses! She befriended smaller animals as a younger child, such as turtles, rabbits, hamsters, fish, etc. before working her way up to the big ones. Around age 12, Kerry and sister Erin took horseback riding lessons and before long, Kerry boarded her first horse, Boomers Jet Boy (Jet), at Benjamin Stables. Horses were her first love and she owned several for a good part of her life. In 1980 after 14 years in Raytown MO, her family moved to Peculiar MO where there was pasture, pond and a barn for horses.

Kerry graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 1985 and took classes at the Kansas City Art Institute. She merged her love of animals with her talents as an artist. Kerry excelled at sketching and drawing, acrylic and watercolor paintings. Her favorite subjects were horses and animals, and occasionally portraits such as her Grandpa Wilson, her niece Megan and nephew Dylan.

Kerry spent most of her working career as a graphic artist and pre-press technician. She worked for Cicero Graphic Resources, Robbie Manufacturing and Art Lithocraft Co. Kerry was brilliant at her craft, working with customers with her patience and eye for detail, using graphic design software to create marketing materials and product packaging designs, and working with the team to complete jobs and keep customers happy. She had fond memories of her coworkers.

During these years, Kerry married and divorced her husband of 4 years, Brian Meireis. She was also in a long relationship with Mark Redding. And that brings us to the most important part of her story. The one thing Kerry loved and lived for above all else was being a mom to her son Thomas. Kerry was blessed with Thomas David Freeman in 2007. They were the dynamic duo. Kerry shared her love of nature and art and humor and adventure with Thomas. She was an amazing mother and raised an amazing son who recently graduated from the same high school as his mother. Kerry surely watched proudly over him as he completed Army basic training in August 2025 at Fort Jackson, SC and begins the next chapter of his life.

Kerry was preceded in death by her parents listed above, and grandparents Clarence and Erta Powell (Gibson), and Thomas and Margaret Wilson (Scotson).

Kerry will be remembered and greatly missed by many surviving family and friends; her son, Thomas David Freeman; brother, Shawn Powell of Belton MO; sister, Peggy (Scott) Ciafullo  of Lee's Summit MO; sister, Erin Mills of Ottawa KS. Nieces and nephews; Dylan Ciafullo of Lee's Summit MO, Colin Ciafullo (Michael Henson) of North Aurora IL, Megan Ciafullo of Independence MO, Joshua Mills of Overland Park KS, Jaina (Joshua) Schooley of Kansas City MO, Margaret Amelia Wilson of Ottawa KS. And many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, furry and otherwise! We smile up at Kerry and feel her smiling back.

Private services will be held for the family. (Cullen Funeral Home 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, MO 64083)