Geneva Mary Rackers

Geneva Mary Rackers, 88, of Wardsville, passed away Monday, March 30, 2026, at Capital Region Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones.  She was united in Heaven with her son, Philip.

She was born March 13, 1938, in Loose Creek, the daughter of Frank and Leona Barbara (Hoerschgen) Schaefer.

Geneva was a 1956 graduate of Fatima High School.

She was united in marriage on September 7, 1959, in Loose Creek to Paul Stephan Rackers who survives at the home.

Geneva retired from Scholastic where she worked in the Book Club Ordering Department.  In earlier years, she worked for the Bureau of the Blind and was co-owner and secretary of Beach Heating and Cooling Company.  She also worked where needed on their dairy farm.

She was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where she was a charter member of Holy Hour and volunteered for church picnics.

Together with her husband they had a love of tractors and belonged to the Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association, Osage River Antique Power Association, and Case Screaming Eagle Association.  She volunteered in various activities with these associations and enjoyed driving tractors in area parades.

She enjoyed traveling, Sunday road trips, cooking, canning, flower gardening, and making desserts especially for her grandchildren. 

Survivors include her husband, Paul; two daughters, Darla (Billy Collins) Craig, Cairo, Missouri; and Jill (John) Grellner, Wardsville; an honorary daughter, Camille (Randy) Grothoff, Osage Bend; ten grandchildren, Joanie (Landon) Worthey, Christie (Corey) Peery, Taylor (Kyle) Schenewerk, Amberlyn (Ryan) Ferrell, Chantz (Scott) Fisher, Seth Grellner, Owen Grellner; honorary grandchildren, Steven (Hallie) Grothoff, Kelsey (Aaron) DeMois, and Rachael (Justus) Schulte; 18 great-grandchildren;  two great-great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Virginia (Edward) Gentges, Jefferson City; Daniel (Florence) Schaefer, Loose Creek; and Walter (Judy) Schaefer, Jefferson City.   

She was preceded in death by a young son, Philip Rackers, and a brother Xavier and sister-in-law, Arbutuf “Beauty” Schaefer.

Visitation will be 9-11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m.

Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Stanislaus Education Foundation in Memory of Geneva Rackers, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 6418 Route W., Jefferson City, MO 65101 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com