Wilbert Rackers

Wilbert Bernard "Butch" Rackers, 92, of Osage Bend, died Monday, December 13, 2010, in Conyers, Ga. He was born on Oct. 25, 1918, in Portland, Mo., the son of the late Emil and Josephine Koetting Rackers. He was married on Dec. 31, 1945, in Lomita, Calif., to Kathleen Marie Duncan who died on March 21, 2007. In his late teens he served two seasons in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC camp). Surviving World War II, he served four years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Long Beach, Calif. and worked part time at Columbia Steel where he met his future wife. He was a member of St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church in Osage Bend where he served on the church council for nine years. During that time, the church hall was built. In addition, he served the R-2 school district for nine years. An active member of the National Farmers Organization, he was the Cole County chairman for 10 years. In 1962 he received the Balanced Farming Award. Mr. Rackers was a dairy farmer from 1949-1983. He was an avid bowler, loved horseshoes, playing cards and was a big Cardinal baseball fan. In earlier years he played third base for the Osage Bend and Taos community baseball teams. He is survived by one daughter, Donna Sue (Robert) Klepak, Conyers, Ga; one son, Gary D. (Mary) Rackers, Jefferson City; one son-in-law, Dennis Sandbothe; eight grandchildren, Scott Bernskoetter, Sarah Chapman, Russell Bernskoetter, Troy Sandbothe, Shane Sandbothe, Denise Winters, Cole Rackers, and Caitlin Rackers; three great-grandchildren, Halen Chapman, Abigail Bernskoetter, and Ava Chapman; one sister, Edna Lindenbusch, Jefferson City; two sisters-in-law, Ginny Rackers and Margie Rackers, both of Jefferson City; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a daughter, Gail Ann Sandbothe; five brothers, Andrew Rackers, Lawrence Rackers, Ralph Rackers, Harold Rackers, and Henry Rackers; and one infant sister, Marie Rackers. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, at St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church, Osage Bend, with the Rev. Gregory C. Meystrik officiating. Burial will be in St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Saturday, at the church. Memorials are suggested for Masses at St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church, 12025 Route W., Jefferson City, MO 65101. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.