Karen J. Gould

Dr. Karen J. Gould of Carmel, IN, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 74.

Born in Decatur, IN, on December 13, 1950, to parents Burney and Katherine Jackson, Karen was a successful woman with many accolades to her name. She graduated from Purdue University in 1971 with a degree in Education. She became a teacher at Triton Elementary in Bourbon, IN where she met her husband, Richard. She also earned a Master’s, Specialist, and Doctorate degrees through Indiana University. Her family always joked that she had more degrees than a thermometer. Karen was the founding principal of Indian Creek Elementary School where she earned the National Distinguished Principal Award in 1993. She appeared on Good Morning America representing Indian Creek. She finished her career as an Assistant Superintendent of Wayne Twp. Schools.

She continued her passion for education after she retired by volunteering with the nonprofit Operation Classroom, through the Methodist church. For nearly 10 years, she worked with a talented team of individuals in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Africa. Karen traveled many times to Sierra Leone to work with the staff at Taiama Enterprise Academy and helped them to grow their school over the years.

Karen always valued family above all else. Baking cookies and reading to her two grandchildren were some of her favorite pastimes. Karen enjoyed sharing new experiences in new places with the people she loved the most. She enjoyed traveling the globe and was the driving force behind many memorable family vacations. A few of her favorite places were Belize, Ireland, Spain, New Zealand, and France. Karen and Richard also hosted two exchange students for a year, Hanna and Monica, from Germany and Spain. Karen traveled the US with them during their stay and continued to visit with them in their respective countries over the years. They consider her a second mother.

Karen married Richard on June 12th 1976, and they recently shared their 49th wedding anniversary. She is survived by her husband Richard, her children, Christopher (Janine) Gould, Erica Gould; grandchildren, Jackson and Desmond Gould; siblings Patricia (Larry) Colando, Mark (Rachel) Jackson, and Linda (Steve) Stephens, her nieces and nephews Nicole, Jennifer, Jim, Kelsey, Colton and Alex and Great-nephew Jake.

She was preceded in death by her parents Burney and Katherine.

Visitation will be held from 11am until 1pm, July 3, 2025, at Carmel United Methodist Church (621 S. Rangeline Rd. Carmel, IN). A Funeral Service will be held at 1pm, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Carmel United Methodist. Burial will follow funeral service at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Operation Classroom.