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Karen Gruen Obituary

Karen J. Gruen, nee Marx, Age 60. Beloved wife of Gary Gruen. Loving mother of Staci (David) Yablon, Chad (Leah) Gruen, and Eric (Lucy) Gruen. Proud grandmother of Max, Geri, Zoe, Rosie, and Becca. Cherished daughter of Lotte and the late Gerard Marx. Dear sister of Tom (Jenny) Marx. Treasured daughter-in-law of Alfred (Marion) and the late Lotte Gruen. Adored friend to all. Service, Wednesday, 10 AM at Congregation Beth Shalom, 3443 Walters, Northbrook, IL 60062. Interment New Light Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to LUNGevity Foundation, 435 North LaSalle, Suite 310, Chicago, Illinois 60654, www.lungevity.org or Congregation Beth Shalom, www.bethshalomnb.org. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on Apr. 7, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Karen Gruen

Not sure what to say?





Faye Pais

April 1, 2025

Remembering sweet times with our little boys...

Faye Pais

April 1, 2024

So sorry...always.

Faye Pais

April 1, 2021

Remembering play dates with our little boys...and your friendship. So very sorry.

Linda

April 12, 2015

So sorry about your loss. May the God of comfort help you doing this difficult time. Psalms 83 : 18.

Paula Friedman

April 12, 2015

We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Karen Gruen. Our sympathy to Chad and Leah and family

Payal Patel

April 11, 2015

Dear Gruen Family,

Im so sorry for the loss of your wife and mom. I have known Karen when she was my subtitute teacher in my school days and I worked in her classroom about 2 years ago. She was a wonderful person and teacher. I'm blessed to have known her and she will be remembered always. May her memory be a blessing.

Payal

April 10, 2015

Dear Gary,
I was saddened to read of Karen's passing.
She was one of the nicest people from
my school days.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Elliot Faermark

Nancy Boim

April 10, 2015

Sorry for your loss..my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

Beth Elkayam

April 9, 2015

To the Gruen Family, Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your wife and mother. I worked with Karen at LICA. She was an exemplary teacher, supportive colleague and a warm and compassionate person. May her memory be for a blessing.

April 9, 2015

Dear Gary, though it's been a very long time I have wonderful memories of being with Karen in Deaf Ed. at U of I. I am so sorry for your loss. She was an incredible lady; loved her smile. Sincerely, Mimi (Fink) Klane

April 8, 2015

Dear Mrs Marx, Gary and family:
Please accept our sincere condolences, we were saddened to learn of Karen's death. Karen was a delightful,vivacious, intelligent woman who will be sorely missed.
Dr and Mrs Jacob Bitran

April 8, 2015

dear gruen family , i am so sorry for your loss .my memory of karen was of a very kind and loving person .she will be missed . she was teaching at forest when i was night custodian there , sincerely erwin banner

April 8, 2015

Dear Gary and family, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Karen was a beautiful woman inside and out....May you find strength in your memories. Fondly, Judy & Jeff Graff

Angie Kubiak

April 8, 2015

Dear Gruen Family, We are very sorry for your loss. Karen was my youngest 2 sons' teacher at Forest. Both of my boys just loved having her as their teacher. She was passionate and professional. May her memory be with you always.

April 8, 2015

Our loving thoughts and heartfelt wishes are with all of you today and every day. We were grateful to have been a part of your mom's life and will remember her in loving and caring moments. We are so lucky to have shared some of life's experiences with her. We love you all.

Nina Kingsley- Goren

April 8, 2015

So sorry to hear about your loss. May Karen's memory be a blessing

jerry wallenberg

April 8, 2015

Dear Gary and Family. Patty and i are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers have been continuous for so very long and now Karen will have no more pain. Now her memory will be very special to all.

Paula Marie Conversa

April 8, 2015

Dear Gruen Family, my heart condolences to you all! I have worked with Karen during my first few years at Forest. Wonderful memories and she was a wonderful and energetic teacher and a friend! She will be greatly missed and my prayers are with you all!

Randi & Steve Greene

April 8, 2015

Mrs. Marx, Gary and Family - Very sad to hear of Karen's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

April 7, 2015

Our heartfelt condolences to your whole family...we are deeply saddened by the loss of your dear Karen. All our best, Faye and Shel Pais and family

Harold Jesser

April 7, 2015

Gruen family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. We attended Devonshire school together so many years ago. May her memory be a blessing

April 7, 2015

Gary and family - so sorry to learn of Karen's passing. She was a great friend and study mate in our early education years. My heart felt condolence.
Susan Gumbiner

Nan Fine

April 7, 2015

Chad, Eric and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. May her memory always be for a blessing.

April 7, 2015

Karen was a deeply compassionate person, always a smile upon her face, and the zest for life she possessed will forever be remembered by me. My deepest sympathies to her husband, children, and grandchildren. This world has lost one bright shinning example of a great person.
Teri

April 7, 2015

Karen was a true gem. She was a student advocate, a warm mentor and a friend to all. Her energy and contagious laugh will be missed.

With sincerest condolences,

Molly VanWees

JOEL & HARRIETT FARBER

April 7, 2015

LOTTE AND FAMILY;
OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF YOUR DEAR KAREN..
FROM MY DAILY VISITS TO YOUR KOSTNER RESIDENCE WITH YOUR BELOVED GERRY AND YOURSELF IT WAS A TIME FOR CONVERSATION..MISS YOU IN THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD...
MAY KAREN REST IN PEACE..

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Memorial Events
for Karen Gruen

Apr

8

Service

10:00 a.m.

Congregation Beth Shalom

3443 Walters, Northbrook, IL

Funeral services provided by:

Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel

8851 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077-2224

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