Carolee was born December 18, 1942 in Emporia, KS. She was the middle child of 11 siblings born to Ray William Emley and Clayoma (Pope). She is a graduate from Hartford (1960). She began her college career at Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University). There she earned both her Bachelors in education and Masters in science degrees. While attending ESU she met the love of her life, Louis J Bussjaeger. They married in January of 1964 after which they moved to Norman, Oklahoma where she pursued her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma. Louis and Carolee were blessed with two children, Christopher David and Catherine Diane, granddaughters Jasmine Denise Mosley, Jada Catherine Mosley (2007), and grandson Christopher Dante Mosley. Louis and Carolee also opened their home on several occasions to family members and foreign high school students as part of their study abroad programs.
Carolee earned her livelihood as a teacher in science. She was a professor at Kansas Newman College (Wichita, KS), and taught chemistry and other sciences at Bishop Carroll HS (Wichita, KS), and Helias HS (Jefferson City, MO). Her career path changed and she worked in the Dean's office at the University of Missouri (Columbia, MO) for several years. Her family then moved to Liberty, MO in 1987 and she worked many years in Ambulatory Care Services at the VA hospital in Kansas City, MO. Carolee also became a self-taught medical transcriptionist working from home and then at Liberty Hospital. She made a change of pace and served several years as receptionist and switchboard operator at the Our Lady of Mercy Country Home in Liberty, MO. In her retirement she was able to enjoy many adventures near and far with her husband and friends.
Carolee, alongside her husband, served countless volunteer hours with the Wichita Audubon Society, the Chaplin Nature Center near Arkansas City, and the Martha LaFiteThompson Nature Sanctuary in Liberty, Missouri. In 1978-79 she worked along with Louis to secure funding for Youth Conservation Camps. With the aid of teenagers in those camps, she laid out the design for natural trails and began development of educational signs.
Carolee loved the outdoors, canoeing, birdwatching, participating in bird counts, hiking and camping. She was an avid reader, and outstanding bridge player along with Louis. She also enjoyed puzzles, crossword puzzles, and played a mean game of Scrabble.
Carolee lived her faith. She was an active member of the St. James Catholic Church in Liberty where she served as Eucharistic minister, helped with fundraising and volunteered in many projects. In addition, she participated with prayer groups and volunteer projects at the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist in Independence, Missouri. Carolee enjoyed helping others and was always ready to lend a helping hand.
Carolee was a 31yr survivor of breast cancer and overcame many other health challenges along the way. She is preceded in death by her parents Ray and Clayoma Emley, her husband Louis, her sisters Rose Emley, Geraldine Green, Alice Buss, Vera Lutes, and brother James Emley, and granddaughter Jada Mosley. She leaves behind son Christopher, daughter Catherine, grandchildren Jasmine and Dante Mosley. She is also survived by sisters Marjorie Ross, Delores Turner, brothers Ray Emley, Marvin Emley, George Emley, Warren Emley and many, many, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She leaves behind many friends both here and abroad. Her jovial spirit and helpful attitude will be missed dearly.
A visitation for Carolee will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Newcomer's White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Bussjaeger family.
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