Karel Lee Mooney

Karel Lee (Dolt) Mooney, age 88, of Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Ignite–St. Mary's in Blue Springs, Missouri. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 30, 2026 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri, where she will be laid to rest alongside her lifelong love, Donald "Corky" Mooney.

Karel entered the world on February 26, 1938, in Brookfield, Missouri, the youngest daughter of Hattie LaVivian and Howard Franklin Dolt. She grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Northeast High School in 1956. Karel devoted many years of service to the City of Independence, where she built not only a career but lasting friendships that she cherished throughout her life. She retired in December of 1994 and remained close with many of her coworkers until her passing. On June 13, 1959, Karel married the love of her life, Corky Mooney. They shared 58 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in November 2017. Together, they raised two children, Dona Lee and Ross Allen, and made their home in Independence, Missouri, where Karel lived for nearly 60 years. Karel's greatest joy in life was her grandchildren, Staci and Jacob. She adored them deeply, spending as much time as she possibly could with both. She spent countless hours creating scrapbooks for each of them to preserve all the wonderful memories together-projects lovingly worked on, though never quite finished, as Karel was well known for having many partially completed projects going on at once. She enjoyed her daily crossword puzzles, watching television, and was a devoted John Wayne fan to the very end. Karel had a special way of making people laugh, especially when she responded with her trademark, "Wait. What?" after not quite hearing something-an endearing habit that never failed to bring smiles. At work, she was affectionately teased for her frequent use of the phrase "yeah, but…," which became part of her signature charm. Karel was famously late for nearly everything and a self proclaimed procrastinator. Family and friends often joked that if you were on Noland Road between 7:45 and 8:00 a.m. on a weekday, you should watch out-Karel was likely speeding by on her way to work. She had a deep love for holidays and went all out decorating her home, with Christmas holding a special place in her heart. Her house would be filled with villages, a nativity scene, artificial snow, and festive cheer. Karel also had a remarkable talent for gift wrapping-each present was beautifully wrapped with perfectly tied bows and ribbons, along with a stocking filled with lots of goodies for everyone. Nothing ever went to waste; gift bags, bows, and wrapping paper were carefully saved in her ever growing stash -"just in case" they were needed again.

Karel will be remembered for her humor, warmth, creativity, and the deep love she had for her family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, traditions, and countless cherished memories.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald "Corky" Mooney; her daughter, Dona Lee Morales; her mother, Hattie LaVivian Carter; her father, Howard Dolt; and her sister, Shirley Rae "Sheri" Anders.

Karel is survived by her brother, Howard (Diane) Dolt; her son, Ross (Missy) Mooney; her granddaughter, Staci (Kyle) Schreckengost; her grandson, Jacob Mooney; her great granddaughter, Addison Barrett; many nieces and nephews whom she adored; a long list of cousins who meant the world to her; and her treasured friends, lovingly known as "The Golden Girls" and "The Bingo Club."