Obituary of Wilma Keck Penfield

Wilma Keck Penfield, age 93, of Eldon, Missouri, passed away Friday, December 23, 2022. She was the daughter of Archie Everett Keck and Jenny May Nelson Keck.  

Wilma and her twin brother Wilbur were born July 30, 1929, in Washington County Oklahoma. Their father operated and lived at an oilfield pump station located between Caney, Kansas and Copan, Oklahoma. In 1949 after Wilbur and Wilma graduated from Copan High School the family eventually moved to Caney, Kansas. Wilma attended Coffeyville Junior college where she took some art classes. She was offered a job as a production illustrator and draftsman at an aircraft plant in Coffeyville, Kansas, where she worked for several years.

Wilma was United in marriage to George Wesner Penfield August 27,1953 in Caney, Kansas. She considered her artistic ability a gift. She could draw at a very young age and taught herself to paint when her high school English teacher asked her to paint some pictures for the classroom. George and Wilma lived at the lake since 1987, where they both did artwork for several shops in the area. She also enjoyed going to Newcomers and Long Timers with special friends for many years and also the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

She is survived by her daughter Debra Albibi Penfield; son Tracy Bud Penfield; daughter-in-law Vanessa Penfield; grandson Rakan Penfield; granddaughter Safa Penfield; many special stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband George of almost 67 years; her parents Everett and Jenny Keck; brothers Orville Thurman, and Glenn Wilbur; and sisters Avis Adeline Keck Erickson  and Betty Keck Kittle.

Memorials are suggested to Harper Chapel United Methodist Church, Osage Beach, Missouri.