Dorothy "Dottie" Mabel Hays

Dottie was born on November 8, 1932 in Boonville, Missouri to her parents Henry W. Bechtold and Mabel K. (Oswald) Bechtold. She was raised in Boonville, and graduated from Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School with the Class of 1950. She was joined in matrimony to her classmate and childhood sweetheart Michael Connolly Hays in January 1953, just after Mike returned home from basic training for the U.S. Army. Dottie remained in Boonville until Mike returned from the Korean War. They first moved to Kansas City and, in 1963, settled in Raytown, Missouri. They were devoted parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church from 1963 until its closure in 2022.

Dottie retired from Wausau Insurance after many years of dedicated service. Dottie had many hobbies she enjoyed in her spare time such as painting ceramics, quilting, embroidery, singing in the church choir, playing cards, assembling puzzles, coloring, dancing, and cheering on her children at any sport they were involved in. In addition to traveling to Sun Lakes, Arizona where they vacationed as snowbirds, Mike and Dottie enjoyed their travels to various other places in the U.S. and Europe; with one of her most memorable trips being a Catholic pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia. Regardless of the activity, Mike and Dottie were always together. Dottie had a smile that was endless and a heart of gold. She was known to be an amazing hostess for all family functions and never had a problem setting an extra place (or more) for anyone who may not have been able to be with their families for the holidays.

Dottie was a dedicated wife, a loving mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her five children: Sharon Chapa (Ernesto), Michael “Brian” (Leslie), Gary (Robyn), John (Wanda), and Mark (Jan). Six grandchildren: Justin, Brandon (Rebecca), Ashley Schmidt (Matt), Chad (Sarah), Mikel Anderson, and Jessica Anderson. Seven great-grandchildren: Caleb, Noah, Madisyn, Harrison, Londyn, Holland, and Joseph.

Dottie was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Michael (Mike), her parents Henry and Mabel, and her 8 siblings: Ellen, Jim, Max, Alice, Virginia, Mary Jean, Harold, and Bob.

Services will be at St. Regis Catholic Church, on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 with visitation at 10:00, Mass of Christian burial at 11:00, and internment at Mt. Olivet cemetery immediately afterwards.

The family requests that donations in Dorothy “Dottie” Mabel Hays’ memory can be made to Catholic Community Hospice at: https://catholiccommunityhospice.com/donations/