Official Obituary of
Karen Furtado
April 23, 1943 ~ January 11, 2026 (age 82) 82 Years Old
Karen Furtado Obituary
Karen Elizabeth Furtado, a resident of Tecumseh, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026 in Shawnee at the age of 82. Karen was born on April 23, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland to George Louis Kreafle and Doris Elizabeth (Warns) Kreafle.
Karen spent her early family. years in the Baltimore, Maryland area with her family. At age 12, Karen moved to Florida, then several years later to California, and then settled in Oklahoma. Karen worked in numerous capacities during her lifetime. She taught dancing at an Arthur Murray studio, while pregnant worked at a small airline company and had to "flag the planes" on the tarmac. She worked in accounting at several car dealerships, oil and gas and other various companies in Stillwater, Tulsa, Seminole and Shawnee. Her last position was with Home Integration Child Development connected with St Gregory's College in Shawnee. Karen loved laughing, silliness and having a good time. She was always up for family get-togethers, especially when card games were involved - mainly the game Uno. She would always start the game by saying "Now - I don't know how to play this" and of course she would win most of the time! Karen was widely recognized as being a masterful sewing, quilting and crafting enthusiast. She was a long-time member of St John Lutheran Church of Shawnee where she served as Financial Treasurer for many years.
Left to cherish her memories is her son, Mark Edward Furtado of Friendswood Texas, granddaughter, Lexie Furtado of Texas. Her two sisters, Joyce Marsh of Tecumseh and Charlene Bias and husband Larry of Tecumseh; a brother, George Louis Kreafle and wife Earlene of Nevada; Nieces and nephews: Steven Kreafle, Craig Kreafle and Cyndi Wall, Sharon Rivas, Hali Caspers, Evan Bias. Other extended family members, church family members and many good friends.
Family has indicated they will have a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to McElyea & Owens Funeral Group in Shawnee.
Karen spent her early family. years in the Baltimore, Maryland area with her family. At age 12, Karen moved to Florida, then several years later to California, and then settled in Oklahoma. Karen worked in numerous capacities during her lifetime. She taught dancing at an Arthur Murray studio, while pregnant worked at a small airline company and had to "flag the planes" on the tarmac. She worked in accounting at several car dealerships, oil and gas and other various companies in Stillwater, Tulsa, Seminole and Shawnee. Her last position was with Home Integration Child Development connected with St Gregory's College in Shawnee. Karen loved laughing, silliness and having a good time. She was always up for family get-togethers, especially when card games were involved - mainly the game Uno. She would always start the game by saying "Now - I don't know how to play this" and of course she would win most of the time! Karen was widely recognized as being a masterful sewing, quilting and crafting enthusiast. She was a long-time member of St John Lutheran Church of Shawnee where she served as Financial Treasurer for many years.
Left to cherish her memories is her son, Mark Edward Furtado of Friendswood Texas, granddaughter, Lexie Furtado of Texas. Her two sisters, Joyce Marsh of Tecumseh and Charlene Bias and husband Larry of Tecumseh; a brother, George Louis Kreafle and wife Earlene of Nevada; Nieces and nephews: Steven Kreafle, Craig Kreafle and Cyndi Wall, Sharon Rivas, Hali Caspers, Evan Bias. Other extended family members, church family members and many good friends.
Family has indicated they will have a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to McElyea & Owens Funeral Group in Shawnee.
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