Dorothy Jean (Gasperino) Spease

Dorothy Jean (Gasperino) Spease, 77, of Lexington, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Lutheran Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Concordia, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To commemorate Dorothy’s love for animals, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Friendless. Memories of Dorothy and condolences for her family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook page. Arrangements have been entrusted to Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 South St., Lexington, MO 64067, 660-259-2245.

Dorothy was born May 20, 1948, in Lexington, Missouri, to Joseph and Norma Jean (Lynn) Gasperino. She attended Lexington High School. Dorothy was first united in marriage to Larry Eugene Spease in Lexington. Although they later divorced, they remained lifelong friends. She later married Kenneth Carney, who preceded her in death.

Dorothy was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lexington. She worked for many years as a cook for the Lexington School District and was also well known for her time working at the Catfish Place. Later in life, she continued her caring nature while working as a home health aide before retiring.

Dorothy found her greatest joy in the simple things in life — spending time with her family and friends, cooking meals for those she loved, tending to her garden, and caring for her beloved dogs and cats. Dorothy also enjoyed driving around town in her red-hot Camaro. Her kindness, warm heart, and devotion to those around her will be remembered by all who knew her.

Dorothy is survived by her three children, Tina (Joshua) Schneider of Odessa, Missouri, Randy (Jennifer) Spease of Lexington, Missouri, and Lisa (Glenn) Wyse of Lexington, Missouri; a very special friend, Chrissy Knott of Blue Springs, Missouri; four grandchildren, Cody Spease, Jason Spease, Tyler (Kyleigh) Doerr, and Justin (Savannah) Spease; five great-grandchildren, Jameson, Beau, Emery, Mila, and Ahna; her sister, Sandy Spease of Lexington, Missouri; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brother, Timothy Gasperino.