Elinor Carolyn (Neef) Koerner

Elinor Carolyn Koerner passed away Tuesday, September 7. She was born at 719 Morgan Street, Boonville, Missouri on January 6, 1929, the daughter of Henry C. and Annie Laura Neef. Carolyn graduated from Boonville High School, attended Hollins College in Virginia and later graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia. There she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Mo Maids swimming team. She married Robert Koerner in Boonville and taught elementary education before beginning her career as a dedicated mother, serving as Cub Scout leader, Girl Scout leader, and a strong role model for her children. Carolyn taught math and Spanish at David Barton School in Boonville, and had many former students years later tell her that they still remembered her lessons by heart. While working as librarian at Stephens College she completed Master’s degrees with honors in Library Science and Math at the University of Missouri, and later was the Documents and Periodicals librarian at Southeast Missouri State University. After several years enjoying golf and retirement in Diamondhead Mississippi she and Bob returned to Boonville. Carolyn was active in the community as a member of PEO, the Boonville Women’s Club, the Boonslick Regional Library board, the Boonville High School Blankenbaker scholarship committee, the YMCA, the Boonville Retired Teachers organization, the United Church of Christ, and volunteered in leading music at Cooper County Hospital.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, and sister Nancy van Ravenswaay(Dr. Ted) , and is survived by son Dr. Scott Koerner (Kate), daughter Susan Gerling(Mark) grandsons Samuel Gerling(Jacqueline), Dr. Bryan Koerner(Christine) and Gordon Koerner, granddaughter Hannah Gerling(Josh), great grandson Hudson McCarroll, great granddaughters Avery and Lana Gerling, nephew Dr. Paul van Ravenswaay, niece Carolyn van Ravenswaay, and great nephew Nick Donovan(Gladys)

Family and friends always knew that Carolyn loved God, family, golf, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

A private family gathering to remember Carolyn is planned.

Memorial gifts are suggested to the Boonslick Regional Library-Boonville building fund, the United Church of Christ, and the MS Society.

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