Carol Jean Gruenwald passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, March 18, 2022, at the age of 77. Services will be held at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 23rd.  The Visitation is 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Funeral Service 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to MARC for their elderly meal delivery program. Checks can be mailed to: MARC Community Services Corporation, 600 Broadway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64105.

Carol was born May 20th, 1944, in Battle Creek, Michigan. She had many careers throughout her life including Apartment Manager, Sales at Drawing Board Greeting Cards, and as a Courier. Her favorite deliveries were the paychecks because everyone was so happy see her! After retiring from her courier job of 10+ years, she became a caregiver. She took care of two elderly women in her last five years before she herself was no longer able to work. She was a very devoted Royals fan and she particularly loved Salvador Perez.  She also made sure to watch every Chiefs game she could.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond & Margaret Leist, and her daughter Jacqueline Valdepena . She is survived by her son David Crystal (Becky); her sisters Linda Henderson (Larry), Vicki Davis (Terry), Barbara Leist, and Sandy Runnels (Kirk); her granddaughters Michelle Burkett (Patrick) and Karley Crystal; her grandsons Kyle and Kolton Crystal; and her great-grandson Oliver Crystal. She is also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews. She was very well loved by so many other friends and family and will be dearly missed.