Betty Karaff, 99, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on December 3, 2025 after a long and fulfilling life. Betty was born on January 24, 1926 in Novinger, Missouri to Adam Benhart Schillie and Myra Francis Barker.
Betty grew up on a farm in northeast Missouri alongside her 14 siblings. From an early age, she helped raise her younger siblings, tended the household, and assisted with farm work—responsibilities that shaped her lifelong devotion to family.
She graduated from Leonard High School in 1944 in a class of seven students. On October 10, 1946, she married the love of her life, the late Raymond Paul Karaff. Together they welcomed three children, Gary, Ramah, and Edward Neil. In 1952, the young family moved to Kansas City, Missouri so Raymond could pursue work in the growing automotive manufacturing industry. They eventually settled in Claycomo, Missouri, purchasing a home atop a hill that would become a cherished gathering place for four generations—a true beacon of “Granny’s house.”
Betty devoted most of her life to raising her children, while also working in the North Kansas City Schools cafeteria and later as a sales associate at Sears. After retiring from Sears in 1988, she dedicated her time to what she loved most, her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. Time truly was on her side, as she spent the next 38 years as the matron of four generations, recently having the joy of meeting her great-great grandchild.
Betty enjoyed square dancing and listening to country and folk music legends such as Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Johnny Cash. She loved Christmas and collected Santas. Every summer, she faithfully cheered on the Kansas City Royals—and unapologetically wished the worst for the New York Yankees. She found great joy in cooking, baking, and, most of all, welcoming family into her home for holiday meals or any meal at all.
Betty adored visiting with family and friends and embodied the very definition of a grandmother—always welcoming her grandchildren into her home, sharing family traditions and treasured recipes while grandchildren, and later great-grandchildren, played nearby. The television was often tuned to The Price Is Right, a Royals game, or a cooking show.
Betty is survived by her sister, Shirley Burke; her children, Gary Karaff and Ramah Leone; her grandchildren, Adrienne Leone (Garon), Sarah Knepper (Drew), Mikal Karaff (Madeline), and Rachelle Caldwell (Matt); her great-grandchildren, Raymond Leone, Abryenne Leone, Jett Courtois, Case Courtois, Emryenne Courtois, Harrison Knepper, Maxwell Knepper, and Cruz Caldwell; and her great-great-grandbaby, Claire.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 13 siblings; her husband, Raymond Karaff; and her beloved son, Edward “Neil” Karaff.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, Missouri. Family and friends are invited to a visitation prior to the service at 5:00 p.m. She will be buried alongside her husband, Raymond Karaff, in Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery in Kirksville. Missouri. Due to the winter storm forecasted for the area, the committal service will be postponed to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
The family welcomes memories and condolences at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/kansas-city-mo/betty-karaff-12653454
