Doris Lou (Wilkerson) Viertel

Doris Lou Viertel, 90, of Boonville, Missouri passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri.

A graveside service for Doris will be held Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Walnut Grove Cemetery beginning at 11:00 a.m. Due to the current pandemic, the family has made a time for the public to pay their respects Friday morning, November 6, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The family will not be present at this time, allowing those who are not comfortable around large groups of people to attend.

Doris Viertel was born July 20, 1930 in Boonville, Missouri, the daughter of Hiram and Edna Mae (Rohr) Wilkerson. Doris graduated from Boonville High School in 1948.  After attending one year at Central Methodist in Fayette, MO, she married her high school sweetheart, John F. “Don” Viertel on October 15, 1950. They built their life together farming in the Cooper and Howard County area and raising their four children to love the land.  Doris enjoyed being a farmer’s wife and she loved her family.  She was a wonderful mother making numerous trips between two counties to transport her hay hauling sons to sports practice on time and always having meals ready no matter what time of night or how many extra mouths her family would bring in from the hayfield. She was a talented seamstress making her own clothing as well as her young daughter’s clothing, but her creative juices came out on the machine when double patching her sons’ holey, hay hauling jeans.

Even as a busy wife, mother, and employee, Doris continued to participate in her community.  As a lifelong active member of The First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Boonville, MO she served in all aspects of church life.  Her Church, Sewing Club, Bridge Club and PEO friends were each all special to Doris and she loved giving her time, energy, and talent to their activities.

When her children were grown, Doris went back to work as a retail salesperson ending her career with Dillard’s in Columbia, MO.  She loved working in the children’s department and enjoyed all her customers.  Her retirement from Dillard’s meant more time with family, friends, gardening, houseplants, and her beloved Rat Terrier, Buddy.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, husband, John F. “Don” Viertel, infant granddaughter, Jennifer Marie Viertel and Buddy.  She is survived by her children, John F. Viertel Jr. (Smokey) of Jefferson City, Missouri, Bruce E. (Margaret) Viertel of Boonville, Missouri, Christy (Chris) Pickell of Boonville, Missouri, and Tim (Gina) Viertel of Boonville, Missouri,  eight grandchildren, Daniel Forest Viertel, Brian (Candace) Viertel, Trevor (Jessica) Viertel, Trista (Justin) Bartolacci, Travis (Ashley) Cook, Nathan (Amanda) Cook, Alec Viertel and Jared Viertel, eleven great- grandchildren Cole, Kayleigh, and Elizabelle Viertel, Brayden, and Ella Viertel, Trenton and Trace Bartolacci, Weston and Emmett Cook and Lorelai and Genevieve Cook.

Throughout her life, Doris was known as Mom and Grammie to many more individuals than just her own children and grandchildren. She was loved and will be missed by all of us.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to The First Christian Church DOC of Boonville or Unlimited Opportunities, INC. 

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