Charlene Ruth Nickolaus, 95, of Columbia, MO passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Columbia. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia from 10-11am. Funeral Service will begin at 11am, followed by burial in Columbia Cemetery.
Charlene was born March 30, 1931, in Versailles, MO to Howard and Ruth Bixler Willson. In 1948, she graduated from Versailles High School then went to Central Missouri State in Warrensburg for two years before transferring to MU where she earned her bachelor, master’s, and PhD. She was a traveling art teacher for Columbia Public Schools for 5 years before she began to teach English and Literature at Kemper Military Academy in Boonville. She taught there for over 20 years before her retirement. She was a very talented artist and skilled painter. She also enjoyed playing Bridge, was a long-time and active member of Missouri United Methodist Church, and a member of The King’s Daughters. In addition to those achievements, she was an author and he did all of this while raising four sons.
She was survived by her sons, Charles (Nancy) Nickolaus of Ashland, David (Adele) Nickolaus of Columbia, Nathan (Mari) Nickolaus of Jefferson City, and Daniel (Christy) Nickolaus of Columbia; seven grandchildren, Charles, William, Matthew, Christopher, Johanna, Augusta, and George Nickoluas; a sister, Connie Willson of Versailles; nieces and nephews and a loving extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, George F. Nickolaus; a brother, Darrell Willson, and her parents.
Memorial donations can be made to Missouri United Methodist Church 204 South 9th street Columbia, MO 65201.
