Betts-Karr, Dolores 1936-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

Dolores “Dee” Betts-Karr, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born Dec. 9, 1936, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Goldie and Damaso Velazquez.

She graduated from St. James Catholic School and the Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, and attended two years at the St. Joseph Junior College. She worked in the banking industry as a teller for the 1st Stockyards bank, and the 1st Bank of Missouri. She was very active in the community serving as two-time President of the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce, two-time President of St. James Altar Society, she was the Queen of the Jesse Jane Red Hat Society, a member of the Sparta Club, served as the PTA President of St. James School, and worked many funeral dinners for the St. James Altar Society.

Dee liked to read books and belonged to a book club at the library, and she loved to dance. She was a member of the St. James Catholic Church and the St. James Altar Society.

Dolores was preceded in death by husband, Robert “Bob” Betts Sr. in 2016; her parents; all her siblings: David Velazquez, Virginia Hepburn-Sandgren, Mary Nikes-Barnett, Josephine Flach-Asbell, Frank Velazquez; and her son in law, Larry Wells.

Survivors include husband, Merrill Karr, of the home; daughter, Annette Wells; and son, Robbie (Pam) Betts Jr., both of St, Joseph; grandchildren: Larry (Ashley) Wells, Eric (Meagan) Wells, Kevin (Tammy) Wells, Nick (Kadence) Wells, Stephanie Windham, Meka (Jeramie) Howery, Sterling Parsons, and Lachelle (Jeff) Lysaght; great-grandchildren: Ilanea (Cody) Keenan, Taylor, Lauren, Brandy, Elizabeth, and Brent Wells, Amelia Howery, and Oliver Parsons; great-great-grandchildren: Nova and Gannon Keenan.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the St. James Catholic Church, Fr. Jonathan Davis Celebrant. The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at a later date at the Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.