WILMINGTON — Doris Elaine Riekert, age 99, passed away peacefully in Wilmington, NC November 12, 2024. She was born in Campbelltown, PA, and grew up in Hershey, PA, where she attended Hershey High School and Hershey Junior College.
During her college years she worked summers at the Hershey Chocolate Factory. She graduated from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. On November 6, 1948, she married William (Bill) Riekert of Queens, New York, who was employed by General Electric (GE) in Schenectady, NY. Doris worked in the GE Research Lab until their first child was born.
In 1954 they moved to Erie, Pennsylvania when Bill was transferred to the Erie GE plant. There, she and Bill raised their three children. Her life was centered on family and church. She served as a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout Den Mother for many years and was an active member of the local American Field Service organization. After the children were grown, Doris volunteered at Mercyhurst College in their cancer research lab. She moved to Wilmington, NC in 2017.
She and Bill were very active in their church, Glenwood United Methodist, singing in the choir and chairing two capital campaigns. She also served as Sunday School Secretary and Financial Secretary for many years.
Doris was an avid and talented seamstress, knitter and crocheter, and the family has many lovely afghan blankets as evidence. She also enjoyed other handicrafts such as leatherwork, counted cross stitch, tatting, quilling and decorative eggs. A nature lover, she encouraged the family to take up camping, which they enjoyed doing for many years. She loved bird watching, traveling and reading mysteries.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Bill. Her daughter, Sally Joan Houck, of Edmond, OK, passed away shortly after her. Doris is survived by her daughter, Lois (Tom) Galligan of Southport, NC; son, Tom Riekert (Darlene Choy) of Novato, CA; son-in-law John Houck of Edmond, OK; grandchildren, Mark (Peggy) Houck, Mary Houck, Erin (Josh) Burnett, Eileen Galligan and five great-grandchildren.
A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the charity of your choice.
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