Norman Lester Dietzel

Norman L. Dietzel, 85, of Columbia, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 14th in Columbia. Visitation will be Monday, May 20th from 5-7pm at Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia. Funeral Service will be 10am, Tuesday, May 21st at Memorial Funeral Home and a graveside service with Military Honors will follow at 3pm in California City Cemetery.

Norman was born June 22, 1938 in Sloan, IA to Earl and Ruth Wyckoff Dietzel. He grew up in Prairie Home, MO on the family farm. In 1962, he joined the US Army and served state-side at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1964. He moved to Columbia in 1966 to operate a Sinclair station. He left Sinclair and went to Conoco before making his career with the local Shell Service Station where he worked until 2000. He owned and operated I-70 Garage, Towing, and Used Cars until he retired in 2010. He drove the I-70, bomber class, stock car and won the first race he entered. He enjoyed being in the woods and adored his family and friends. His faith was everything.

He is survived by his life-long friend & companion, Mary Ranz of Columbia; children, Mark (Valerie Crane) Dietzel of Columbia, Marilyn Mavrakis of Columbia; a step-daughter, Brina (Eric) Hartman and her mother Linda Spencer Dietzel; grandchildren, Andrea (Jordan Brunstrom) Dietzel, Gary (Julia Hamilton) Dietzel and Hannah (Simon) Dietzel-Stokes and their mother, Shannon Dietzel all of Columbia, and Quinn & Connor Hartman; a great-granddaughter, Stella Osterberger; siblings, Donald (Gwen) Dietzel of Prairie Home, Barbara Widel and Alice Hartsock both of Boonville; sister-in-law, Jacquetta Dietzel; many nieces and nephews and a loving extended family, and his cat Bo. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Nancy Lewis; a brother, Carl Dietzel; sister, Loretta (Arlen) McKinney; a son-in-law Muhammad Mavrakis; and a brother-in-law, Clarence Widel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Welcome Home 2120 Business Loop 70 East Columbia, MO 65201.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com