Carolyn Grace Dooley Lootens

Carolyn Grace Dooley Lootens, 82, of Taos, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2022, at University of Missouri Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 29, 1940, in Jefferson City, Missouri; the daughter of the late Elroy W. and Margie Deuschle Dooley. She was married on December 27, 1958, to Gerald "Jerry" Lootens who preceded her in death on September 29, 2017. A life-long resident of the Jefferson City area, Carolyn was a 1958 graduate of Jefferson City High School. She worked as a carhop for A&W as her first job. She was then employed at Employment Security for the State of Missouri, and for the majority of her career, at the Department of Conservation until her retirement in 1997. She was a dedicated member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; she took care of the church bulletin for many years until the church began sending it off for printing. After her retirement, she worked at St. Francis providing after school care. She also served as secretary of the Taos Community Club for many years. Carolyn was an avid book reader and Cardinals' fan. She loved taking her grandchildren to the movies and taking trips with her family. She enjoyed playing Candy Crush and Soda Crush, shopping, especially on Amazon, Miller 64 "cold beer," getting her nails done, crocheting and knitting, sewing her granddaughters' doll clothes, Christmas Eve, baking and cooking, her iPad, and her koi pond. She was a lover of flowers, especially those of the springtime. Her greatest love was being anywhere with her family. She is survived by her children, Karla Mantle (Dean) of Taos, Kristy Lootens (Keith Borgmeyer) of Taos, Kurt Lootens (Shawn Rush) of Jefferson City, and Kraig Lootens (Jony) of Taos; sons-in-law, John Bilyeu of Taos, and Terry Rackers of Loose Creek; sister, Deborah Ferrell of Jefferson City; grandchildren, Michelle Heislen (Chad), Tara Graupman (Shane), Ashley Atkins (David), Shannon Bilyeu, Mason Bilyeu (Kenzie), Jordan Mantle (Kayla), Cole Rush, Hailey Rush, Skyler Lootens, Tanner Lootens, and Gage Lootens; and great-grandchildren, Tristan Heislen, JJ Quehl, Chloe Heislen, Gracie Atkins, Alleigh Graupman, Sadie Atkins, and Kohen Atkins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; daughter, Katie Bilyeu; sister, Barbara Kempker; and great-grandsons, Jase and Latham Atkins. A prayer service will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Visitation will follow the prayer service until 7:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. Internment will directly follow at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Heart Association or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.