Patsy Mae Koerner, age 80, of rural Edgerton, Ohio, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2015, at the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born on January 3, 1935, in Rolla, Missouri, the fifth child of William and Ebba Lukrofka. She was a 1953 graduate of Rolla High School, Rolla, Missouri, and a 1957 graduate of Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. Patsy was hired as a children’s editor at Standard Publishing Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. While there, in addition to her editorial duties, Patsy conducted Vacation Bible School workshops in many of the area churches and also taught at Christian Church camps. She met John Koerner through friends at the office and later married John in Cincinnati, Ohio. After moving to the Koerner family dairy farm in Edgerton, Ohio, Pat remained active as a Christian writer and inspirational speaker. Among articles she had published were from The Lookout Magazine, The Christian Standard, Hoard’s Dairyman, Successful Farming, Farm Journal, Farmer’s Advance, and Farm Wife News. She was a long time member of West Milford Church of Christ and later at the First Church of Christ in Bryan, Ohio, where she served as the church secretary.
Patsy is survived by son, Jim (Maggie) Koerner, of Gahanna, Ohio; daughter Teresa (Christopher) Johnson, of rural Edgerton; two grandsons, Jimmy and Gavin Koerner; and one granddaughter, Madison Johnson. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, an infant son, Philip, and brothers, Bill, Lester, Lovell and Daniel Lukrofka.
Visitation will be held at Krill Funeral Home in Edgerton on Thursday, July 16, 2015, from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. A private grave side service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery, Edgerton. A Celebration of Life service for Patsy Koerner will be held at the First Church of Christ, Bryan, Ohio, on Friday, July 17, 2015, at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Larry Snavely officiating.
Memorials are requested to Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice Center, 06817 State Route 66 North, Defiance, Ohio.