Dorothy Rackers Obituary

Jean Rackers, 90, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, with family by her side. Born Dorothy Jean Korsmeyer on July 25, 1935, Jean was the eldest child of Raymond John Herman Korsmeyer and Mildred (Fowler) Korsmeyer.
The only eighth-grade graduate of her rural school in 1949, she went on to Jefferson City High School with a deep love of knowledge and a calling to teach. Knowing her parents couldn't afford to send her to college, she once began a writing assignment with, "The last day of high school will be the saddest day of my life." Her greatest fear was to stop learning-so when she earned her high school diploma in 1953 at age 17, she found a way not to.
That same fall, Jean began teaching at Hickory Grove, a one-room country school near Tebbetts, where she was responsible not only for teaching grades 1-8 but also for keeping the fire going, carrying water, and cleaning the schoolhouse. Because she didn't have formal teacher training, her certificate was valid for only one year. However, that didn't stop her; she used her earnings from that first job to attend Jefferson City Junior College for a year. She then taught at Callaway County country schools (Lone Star School in Wainwright and Tebbetts School) during the school year and studied at Lincoln University each summer. Thirteen summers later, she proudly earned her bachelor's degree in education.
It was during this time that her love story with Norbert Rackers began. They married on August 10, 1957, and shared 46 years of deep love, laughter, and partnership until Norbert's passing in 2003. Jean continued to wear her wedding ring for the rest of her life-a symbol of their enduring bond.
After teaching in Callaway County for 14 years, Jean spent 25 years at West Elementary and Lawson Elementary, where she especially loved teaching fifth grade. She once wrote, "I believe all students should have some success each day, and I must see that it happens. I want each child to go home feeling good about himself or herself each day." Her joy came from sharing her love of learning and watching concepts "click" for her students. She cherished hearing from former students about their accomplishments and the fond memories they carried from her classroom.
Jean's legacy extended well beyond the classroom. Together, she and Norb built a warm and welcoming community of family and friends. They loved to celebrate life's moments, and if Jean was involved, you could be sure you wouldn't leave hungry. Voted "The best darn cook you ever saw" her senior year after receiving national recognition in a cherry pie baking contest, she spent her life living up to the title.
Her generosity of spirit shaped the lives of those around her. She helped others with alacrity, selflessly donating both her time and money in the hope of making someone's future-or even day-brighter.
Jean's hospitality created core memories for those who knew her. If you ever attended one of her Wainwright ice cream socials and pause to listen on a summer night, you can still hear the hum of cicadas and laughter drifting across the church lawn-a sound that carries Jean's warmth and love of community. In the candlelit glow of the old Wainwright Methodist Church and the joyful gatherings that followed at her home, she created cherished holiday memories that will live on in the hearts of all who loved her. We'll treasure her handmade annual Christmas ornaments as souvenirs of idyllic times of decked halls, Christmas caroling, and all her signature Christmas treats. She marked most holidays by baking sugar cookies and delivering them to family, friends, neighbors, and anyone she thought could use a little brightness in their day. No matter the situation, Jean always had a way of making everyone feel seen, valued, and deeply loved.
Jean was welcomed into eternal rest by her beloved husband, Norbert; her parents, Raymond and Mildred Korsmeyer; her siblings Ruth Glover, Marge Derrieux, Bill Korsmeyer, and JoAnn Sumner; her nephew Mark Derrieux; sisters-in-law Grace Blank, Rose Riensch, Linda Stegeman; and brothers-in-law Leon Rackers, Harold Rackers, Leon Prenger, Ray Kauffman, and Dale Ricks.
She is survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, whom she loved as her own:
from her sister Marge: Lisa Beck (husband Dan) and Linda Vaughan;
from her sister Ruth: Cathy Glover, Julie Clardy, and Debbie Taylor (husband Jim);
and from her sister JoAnn: Nicole Beaumonte (husband John) and Walker "Scot" Sumner.
She is also survived by her brothers-in-law Howard Derrieux, Roy Blank, Glenn Rackers (Betty), Jerome Riensch, Orville Stegeman; sisters-in-law Del Prenger, Janet Kauffman, Carol Ricks, Ruth Coppenbarger (Kent), and Linda Rackers; and many great-nieces and -nephews, great-great-nieces and -nephews, and extended family who will miss her dearly.
Mrs. Rackers's legacy lives on in the hundreds of children she taught and inspired in her career. She leaves a legacy of compassion, tenacity, and sense of joyful wonder to every person who was fortunate enough to be taught, loved, or fed by her.
Friends and family will gather on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street in Jefferson City, Missouri, to honor the devoted sister, teacher, friend, and aunt who gave so much of herself to others. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jamie Falter officiating. She will be laid to rest following the service at Riverview Cemetery.
In keeping with Jean's generous spirit, the family suggests memorial contributions to SERVE, Inc., a Callaway County organization she supported faithfully for many years.
Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main St.; Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com
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