Kelly Jo Moose, 51, of rural Luana, Iowa, passed away Monday, April 13, 2026, at her home. Kelly was born on November 2, 1974, to Kenneth and Karen (Schwartzhoff) Hammel in Waukon, Iowa. Kelly’s father passed away shortly after she was born. Karen later married Ronald (Ron) Palmer of Monona, and they raised Kelly together. Kelly graduated from MFL Mar-Mac High School with the class of 1993. She attended Kirkwood Community College and NICC, earning her degree in Medical Coding.
On May 27, 1995, Kelly was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Douglas Moose, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, Iowa. Doug and Kelly had two beautiful daughters together, which was what she took pride in the most. She was employed at Luana Savings Bank as a loan officer for just short of 25 years.
Kelly enjoyed spending time with her camping group at Skip-A-Way in Clermont, Iowa. She found joy in spending many summers going on trips with her sisters and visiting family. She also took many trips over the winters with her friends, finding refuge from the cold Iowa winters in warmer weather. She loved listening to live music, dancing, going on UTV rides, golfing, kayaking, stopping at dive bars, playing cards, and overall just having a good time. Kelly’s favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved every part, including decorating, baking, watching countless Hallmark movies, and looking at Christmas lights. Over the past three years, Kelly spent a lot of time at home cuddling up to her dog, Quinn. Kelly enjoyed many things, but above all, she loved spending time with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren.
Kelly maintained her sharp wit throughout her life, even after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive neurodegenerative disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in late 2022. PSP dramatically altered the trajectory of Kelly’s life, limiting her ability to move in nearly every way. Kelly battled this disease with determination, grace, and stoicism, never surrendering her love of comedy and laughter. She was heroic in her ability to live well through this disease and remained an inspiration and bright light to her friends and family members until her passing.
On behalf of Kelly and her family, they would like to thank all of the caregivers who assisted them throughout the past years. Kelly thought very highly of every single person who cared for her and who simply came to visit to sit and chat.
Surviving Kelly are her husband of 30 years, Douglas Moose of Luana, Iowa; daughters, Kylie (Brier) Bartels of Monona, Iowa and Keagan Moose (Mitchell Gibbs) of Cascade, Iowa; grandchildren, Marryn and Brexleigh Bartels and one on the way; her mother, Karen (David) Gross of West Union, Iowa; siblings, Kimberly (Scott) Sheetz and Lisa (Eric) Boussard; brother-in-law Richard (Debbie) Moose and sister-in law Lesa Moose. As well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Kelly was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Hammel; father, Ronald Palmer; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Albert and Marilyn Moose; and her brothers-in-law, James (Jim) Moose and Leland Moose.
A Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa.
Memorial Mass will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Monona, Iowa, with Rev. Martin Coolidge as the Celebrant. There will be no visitation prior to the funeral.
If you are planning to attend the funeral, please be seated when you arrive at the church. Inurnment will follow at Smithfield Cemetery, rural Monona, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Monona, Iowa, has been entrusted with handling arrangements for the family.