Elizabeth Johanna Niekamp

Elizabeth Johanna Niekamp, 79, of Jefferson City, died Saturday, December 21, 2013, at Oak Tree Villas. She was born on June 21, 1934, on Dodd's Island, Missouri, the daughter of the late Hugo Peter and Mary Cecilia (Thoenen) Niekamp. She graduated from St. Peter High School in 1952. In the fall of that year, she entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Louis, and became Sister Leonard Marie Niekamp. Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Notre Dame College in 1959 and a Masters in Education from St. Louis University in 1966. For thirty years she worked as a teacher and principal for the order. In 1982 she left the order and continued her work in education in St. Louis, Lake Charles Louisiana, and San Diego. She retired in 1996. Elizabeth was passionate about her volunteer work with Prison Ministries. Prisoners had to be on their good behavior to be allowed to work with her as she taught them to read and write. She is survived by two sisters, Margaret (Joseph) Schulte; and Clara (Alfred) Schulte; and one brother, Leonard (Willine) Niekamp, all of Jefferson City; and sixteen nieces and nephews. In accordance with Elizabeth's wishes, her body has been donated to the University of Missouri Medical School. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Noon Saturday, December 28, 2013, at St. Martin Catholic Church with the Rev. Edwin A. Schmidt officiating. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to Noon Saturday at the church. Expressions of sympathy may be made to The American Cancer Society, 2413 Hyde Park Road, Jefferson City, MO 65109; or Educating Behind Bars, 1408 St. 10th St., St. Louis, MO 63104. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.