Norma Lee Wilkening, 89, of Columbia passed away on December 24, 2014 at Lenoir Woods. Norma was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Guy and Geska Richter on April 20, 1925. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Southeast Missouri State University. She married Walter T. Wilkening on March 17, 1945 in Oak Ridge, Missouri. She was active in Global Missions of the United Methodist Church and a member of Community United Methodist Church in Columbia. For over 20 years after retirement, Norma and Walter served others in need during many mission trips around the US and in other countries, such as Czech Republic and Mozambique. She is survived by her husband, Walter; her two sons: Wayne (Nancy) Wilkening of South Carolina and Lee Wilkening of Arizona; her brother, Gene (Betty) Richter of St Louis; and her grandson, Gabe Wilkening. Memorial services will be held on Monday, December 29, at 3:00 pm at Lenoir Woods – Epple Chapel in Columbia. Ashes will be interred at a later date at Zion United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Community United Methodist Church in Columbia.
