
The Independent Living Community
at Lenoir Woods
Located in Columbia, Missouri, Lenoir Woods is a neighborhood with lots of opportunities for fun and friendship that allow you to lead an independent, stimulating lifestyle. Along with a passion for life, the residents of Lenoir Woods enjoy tremendous independence in a community that has served multiple generations.
The beautiful surroundings at Lenoir Woods may make you feel as if you are in the country, but you have all the conveniences of a fabulous city close at hand. Exciting options for an independent, stimulating lifestyle are available in the Columbia area — outstanding cultural, entertainment, sports, and dining options.
Click here to learn about our health care services!
Retiring in Style
Lenoir Woods features 110 patio homes and 68 spacious senior living apartment homes. These independent living options feature a variety of amenities and services that allow you to focus on what’s truly important.
- Diverse social, cultural and educational services all year round
- Active senior living with a sense of community and friendship
- A wide range of onsite health care services for mind, body, and soul
- Full service building, grounds, and appliance maintenance
- Exceptional housekeeping service
- A community center with regularly scheduled activities for many different interests
- A variety of patio home and apartment floor plans to choose from
- Many utility costs included
- Superb dining services with options to fit your lifestyle
- Beautiful countryside surroundings
- Move-In Resources to assist you with the moving process
- Financial options – a range of payment plans to suit your needs
- On-site transportation services, beauty shop, and barber shop
- A faith-inspired community with an onsite chaplain and spiritual services
Health Care
Lenoir Woods is a continuing care retirement community, offering a full range of licensed health services. This includes residential care, skilled nursing, and our REACH Short Stay rehabilitation program. To learn more about these programs, click here.
Activities
Our full time activities staff is always coming up with fun and exciting new day trips, games, celebrations, and opportunities for live entertainment right here on campus. Plus, Lenoir Woods is home to a host of different clubs, from community government to volunteer groups to recreational table game teams. Got an idea for a new activity? Propose it at our monthly events planning meeting. We’re here to make sure you’re having a great time!
Wellness activities abound as well – be sure to make use of our senior-friendly fitness equipment, outdoor walking paths, and year-round exercise programs. All of these come together through our REACH Wellness program, which incorporates health clinics and short-term therapies.
Dining
Our dining services staff works to provide a variety of dishes to excite every palate. From home cooking to more exotic cuisine, there’s always something new to try, and something familiar to savor.
Independent living residents can enjoy lunch or dinner in our beautifully appointed dining rooms, or take a meal back to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. Our attentive dining services staff is always ready to assist you! Click here for a sample menu.
Pastoral Care
At the heart of Lenoir Woods’ philosophy of service is our Christian mission: Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest. Here, we honor and cherish people of all faiths, respecting their beliefs and helping them stay in touch with their personal faith practices.
We strive to serve the entire person—body, mind, and soul. To that end, we have a full time chaplain on staff to host weekly worship services, teach Bible classes, and to provide spiritual support when needed.
Lenoir Woods is part of Lutheran Senior Services, one of the largest not-for-profit senior care networks of its kind in the country. Our goal is to create the highest quality Continuing Care Retirement Communities possible, with a full array of personalized features to customize the retirement living experience for each person.
We look forward to showing you our beautiful campus here in Columbia. At Lenoir Woods, we’re more than a retirement home — we’re a community of close friends.
Photo Gallery
Here’s just a small sample of what awaits you at Lenoir Woods. Click on the pictures below to enlarge the images.
Floorplans
Retire in style — Lenoir Woods offers two floorplans for its apartment homes and literally dozens of configuration for its patio homes. Below you’ll find the apartment floorplans we have available. Click on the pictures below to enlarge images.
Apartment Homes
Healthcare
Lenoir Woods offers a full continuum of options for retirement living, from independent living and short-stay rehabilitation to residential care and skilled nursing. To learn more about any of the health care options listed below, click here.
REACH Short Stay
If you need short-term rehabilitation following a qualifying hospital stay, you can find it in Lenoir Woods’ REACH Short Stay household. Here, you can benefit from our team of licensed nurses, therapists, nutritional managers, social service workers, and chaplains as you work to reach your highest potential. Click here to learn more.
Residential Care
Need a little extra help to maintain your independence? We offer private residential care apartments featuring access to our friendly, professional nursing staff. Here, residents find help with personal care, medication assistance, weekly housekeeping, linen service, and three daily meals. Click here to learn more.
Skilled Nursing
Lenoir Woods provides private and companion rooms for residents who need 24-hour professional nursing care. Our neighborhood-style care center offers traditional nursing home service, while our two new state-of-the-art households provide long-term care for small groups of residents in an environment modeled after a family home. Click here to learn more.
Our Staff
Greetings!
Welcome to Lenoir Woods!
At our community we offer 110 beautiful acres of peaceful country living in the heart of Missouri! Located in Columbia, Missouri, our neighborhoods are suited to those with a passion for life, and who love carefree living in a friendly, activity-filled environment!
Whether you are looking for a patio home along one of our winding, tree-lined streets or a spacious apartment home, life with maintenance-free living will allow you to do the things you want to do, when you want to do them!
Our residents say it best: “If you’re looking for friends, food, fun and fellowship, come to Lenoir Woods.”
We are all eagerly waiting to get to know you! Come and experience the difference life makes, living at Lenoir Woods! Our warm hearts and smiles will make you feel right at home!
Kent Kirkwood
Executive Director
Members of Our Team

Lenoir Woods Executive Director
ph 573.876.5888, x1602
The Executive Director of Lenoir Woods, Kent Kirkwood has more than 25 years’ experience in senior housing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and master’s degree in social gerontology from Central Missouri University. He joined the LSS team in 2005. Kent and his wife Vallie have two children, Kate and Drew.

Senior Living Counselor
ph 573.876.5888, x1603
Stephanie Flakne has a background in Healthcare Administration and Marketing. She attended Columbia College where she studied Political Science, History and Psychology. She is a native of Independence, Missouri, and currently resides in Columbia with her husband and two step-children.

Health Care Services Administrator
ph 573.876.5888, x1000
Jill Layne, RN, MSN, has worked in the Health Care Center at Lenoir Woods since 1999 and has served the health care needs of seniors for more than 20 years. She has been one of the leaders in Culture Change at her community and is an advocate for person-centered care. She has presented several different programs for culture change advancement for long term care communities throughout the United States.

Director of Resident Services
ph 573.876.5888, x1605
The Director of Resident Services at Lenoir Woods, Elliott Bentley has nine years of experience working at Lenoir and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Columbia College and a master’s degree in health care management from William Woods University. Elliott lives in Columbia.
Director of Dining Services
ph 573.876.5888, x1608
Sandy Foster brings over 25 years of nutrition experience to Lenoir Woods. Her most recent position was with the University of Missouri, working in the Nutrition & Food Service department, overseeing the restaurant, catering and doctors lounge. She attended the University of Missouri, where she studied the nutrition needs of children. She is a native of Columbia and currently resides in Hallsville, Missouri, with her husband and three German shepherds.

Chaplain
ph 573.876.5888, x1717
Chaplain Jerry Riggert was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. He attended schools in Kansas, the Netherlands, Indiana and Illinois, earning a Master of Divinity degree. Before coming to LSS he served Lutheran congregations in Minnesota, Nebraska and Missouri as a parish pastor for 28 years. In addition, he is continuing his education through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. He has been with LSS since 2006.
Volunteering:
Giving A Gift of Time
At Lenoir Woods, service-minded individuals find many opportunities to give of their time and talents. We match each volunteer with residents and their families depending upon skills, interests, and availability.
Volunteering can include any number of activities, including:
- Clerical work
- Assistance with resident activities
- Support for special events and fundraisers
If you are interested in volunteering at Lenoir Woods, click here to email our volunteer coordinator.
Stewardship:
Giving a Gift of Treasure
Lutheran Senior Services is a not-for-profit organization that is built on financial stability and sound stewardship. We invite you to share our mission of serving seniors at Lenoir Woods by making a gift that will advance our Christian mission of honoring and cherishing those we serve. Your gift will be used to directly help people.
Make your legacy part of the Lutheran Senior Services legacy. Select a specific area for your gift or make a gift to the area of greatest need. You may give now, or contact our gift consultant for free and confidential advice about how your gift can help others.
Click here to make a donation online using our secure online system powered by E-Service.
For More Information, Call...

Director of Stewardship
ph 573.876.5888, x 1613
Ron Freiburghaus is committed to building the benevolent care endowment for residents who have outlived their resources. He has twenty years of experience in fund development and estate planning at organizations such as Yale University, Missouri State Teachers Foundation and the University of Missouri. Ron works closely with volunteers and residents to offer wonderful opportunities to experience the joy of giving. Many of the financial options he proposes provide tax-advantaged, fixed income for life at an attractive rate of return, or do not involve current assets. Ron holds bachelor’s and doctor of jurisprudence degrees from the University of Missouri. His wife, Mary, is an Advanced Practice nurse at the Cosmopolitan Diabetes Center at University Hospital.
Giving Opportunities
Benevolent Care
Contributions to our Benevolent Care Fund endow future financial assistance for residents who have exhausted their financial resources and are no longer able to afford service at their care level.
Good Samaritan
Good Samaritan donors support residents who are currently in need of additional funding to maintain their present level of care.
Christ Care
Donations to the Christ Care Fund help provide relief for Lutheran Senior Services staff members who are experiencing emergency financial needs.
Christian Artwork
Donors to the Christian Artwork fund help to purchase inspirational decorations for LSS communities, helping create a feeling of home for our residents.
Clinical Pastoral Education
Funds donated to LSS' CPE program help support future ministry workers as they train for specialized ministries related to pastoral care, counseling, and/or older adult ministry.
Good Neighbor Program
Funds donated help support the volunteers at our Good Neighbor Program referral service which links independent caregivers with seniors who need assistance with basic household tasks and/or non-medical personal care.
Affordable Housing
Donations to LSS' Affordable Housing communities help provide housing and services for older adults with fewer economic resources.
Hospice Care
By giving to Hospice Care, donors assist this program in providing faith-based, end-of-life care that focuses not only on physical needs, but also on spiritual, emotional, and psychosocial health.
Outreach Social Services
Donations to the Outreach Social Services program help provide funds for the assessment of needs, resource identification and referral, and geriatric care management services.
Pastoral Care
Supporting Pastoral Care aids the efforts of our specially trained chaplains. The Pastoral Care team provides comfort and spiritual guidance to our residents, families and staff.
Staff Scholarships
Donations to the staff scholarships assist with educational opportunities that keep staff throughout the Lutheran Senior Services organization current on the most advanced methods for caring for and supporting seniors.
Volunteer Money Management
Supporting Volunteer Money Management provides funds for volunteers who assist seniors with day-to-day financial tasks.
Area of Greatest Need
Your unrestricted gift will go directly to the area of greatest need.
Moving In
Think about everything you spend on your home in a given month – mortgage, utilities, repairs, landscaping and more. Now think about how much you spend on eating out, entertainment, a health club membership, and transportation.
At Lenoir Woods, most (if not all) of these expenses are covered with a single monthly payment. And when you compare it to what you’re paying now, you may be surprised at how reasonable a move to Lenoir Woods can be.
Pricing
When you move into an independent living apartment or patio home, you pay a one-time refundable Entrance Fee. This amount helps keep your monthly service fees lower. When you move out, you receive up to 95% of your Entrance Fee, depending on the refund option you choose.
For specific pricing, contact our senior living counselor by calling 573.876.5800 or by email.
For price information on REACH Short Stay, residential care, or skilled nursing, contact our senior living counselor by calling 573.876.5800 or by email.
LSS Move-In Resources
Lutheran Senior Services offers a host of resources to make the move to Lenoir Woods as smooth and carefree as possible. Through the LSS Move-In Resources Service, you can find help to organize, rightsize, move, and enjoy!
Our Move-In Resources Service can provide…
- Help with managing the home sale process.
- Assistance with transforming a new space so it becomes home.
- Advice on what to take, sell, or give away.
- Preapproved resources to help make the transition easy.
To learn more, contact our senior living counselor by calling 573.876.5800 or by email.






