She was born in Wardsville to Paul Peter and Mary Bock Mertens. She was married on October 29, 1946 in Wardsville to Vernon Emil Rackers who survives at the home. Other survivors include two sons and their wives, Richard and Gerri Rackers, Wardsville; and Thomas and Tammy Rackers, Jefferson City; six daughters and their husbands, Sharon A. Rackers, Meta; Margie & Alfred Kaiser, St. Thomas; Janie Rackers and her fianc`e, Fred Shiver, both of Chamois; Marilyn "Cookie" and Daniel "Cotton" Verslues, Taos; Julie and Michael Kever, Wardsville; and Becky and Joe Britton, Wardsville; nineteen grandchildren, Abbey Stumpe,Beth Borgmeyer, Jessie Kaiser, Brad Rackers, Sara Luebbering, Brian Rackers, Mandy McCutchen, Nicole Kever, Ann Kever, Jacob Verslues, Lucas Verslues, Jennifer Verslues, Danielle Woods, Branden Rackers, Brandi Britton, Michelle Britton, Marie Britton, Rachel Britton, and Adam Britton; seven great-grandchildren, Macy Rackers, Ty Luebbering, Bo Luebbering, Lillian McCutchen, Alex Kever, Jacob Verslues, Jr. and Chelsea Thiel; and a half-sister, Pauline Bretthorst, St. Louis. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-mothers, Mame Mertens and Johanna Mertens; a son, Harry J. Rackers; a grandson, Paul Kaiser; brothers, George, Lawrence, Louis, Bernard, Edward, Joseph, Otto, and William Mertens; and sisters, Clara Schulte, Frances Veit, and Augusta Frank. A homemaker, she was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church; Married Ladies Sodality; Over-Fifty Club; and the Women of Wardsville. Memorials are suggested to St. Stanislaus Education Foundation, 6414 Route W. Jefferson Ctiy, MO 65101; or a charity of the donor's choice. She attended St. Stanislaus Catholic School.