of O'Fallon, IL

Katherine Rackley, nee Kuespert, was born December 31, 1940, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and passed away February 17, 2022, age 81, in O'Fallon, Illinois, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Katherine lived in Little Rock for most of her life. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1958 and attended Ouachita Baptist College, majoring in music. She trusted Jesus as her Savior in 1979 and faithfully served at Geyer Springs First Baptist, and especially loved singing in the choir with her beautiful voice. Katherine enjoyed cooking, camping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She was known for her faith, beautiful smile, infectious laugh, cheerful service, and love for her family.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, Max J. Kuespert and Edith J. Kuespert of Little Rock; brothers, John H. Kuespert, Max J. Kuespert II, and Homer Lee Kuespert, and sister, Francis E. Foster. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, John ''Ed'' Rackley; her children, Edwin Rackley of Los Angeles, California, Alan Rackley of Little Rock, Jeanette Gulick (Jeffrey) of O'Fallon, Illinois, and Phillip Rackley of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Katherine was blessed with four grandchildren, Josiah Gulick (Kimberly), John Gulick (Suzanna), Jenna Gulick, and Jacob Gulick, plus three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral is on Monday, February 28, at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, Little Rock. Visitation is at 9:30 AM, service is at 10:30 AM, followed by a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Arkansas Baptist Children's Home.