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Karen Icle Gray, age 77, of Norfolk, Nebraska passed away Monday, April 20, 2026, at Faith Health in Norfolk. There will be no memorial service as Karen’s wishes were to have her ashes scattered in Colorado.

Brockhaus-HowserFillmer Funeral Home in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Karen Icle Gray was born on June 18, 1948, in Osceola, Iowa, to Gilbert and Dorothy (Williams) Gray. Karen was the first of three children born to Gilbert and Dorothy, joining her adopted sister, Deloris Jean, at home.

Karen was proudly named after Dorothy's foster mother, Icle Fisher. Karen started school in Bennington, Nebraska. The family moved to Blair, Nebraska in 1957, and Karen graduated from Blair High in 1966. She continued her education at Wayne State College, graduating with an English education major in 1970.

Karen began a 44- year teaching career in O'Neill, Nebraska in 1970. At O'Neill, she taught high school English, sponsored the yearbook, and directed the school musicals. In 1990, Karen moved to Norfolk, Nebraska and finished her career at Stanton High School. In teaching, Karen found family and a job she loved. She felt it important to attend school activities of her students, and she rarely missed school events held in Stanton.

When summer came, it was time to travel and visit family and friends. For many years, Karen spent her summers with close friends and family in Colorado.

When Karen retired from teaching the spring of 2014, she discovered the joy of lunch with friends. Karen also started traveling with high school friends. She never dreamed she would experience a cruise, but when she turned 70, she joined nine high school friends on a birthday cruise.

Karen felt her life blessed with wonderful family and the best friends in the world. A combination of high school, college, work, and life friends provided a rich, happy life.

Karen is survived by two brothers, Fred E. (Jehna) Gray and Duane Gray; nieces Amy Tews and family and Whitney Bardwell and family; nephews, AJ Page and family and Cody Page and family; aunt, Nancy Williams; cousin, Denise; and ten great-nieces and nephews. To honor Karen, any memorials may be directed to Stanton, Nebraska Community Schools Foundation-English Department

~~~obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska~~~ FindaGrave 298874663