Karen D. Graul

Karen Denison Graul continued her journey into The Great Mystery on July 27, 2022, in Houston, Texas. She is survived by her husband, Don West Graul; daughter, Kara Kathryn Graul; son, Robert Brooks Graul; and grandsons Joseph West Graul and Sean Brooks Graul. Her greatest joys were family, friends, book club, design, and traveling: river trips, Mexico, UK, Italy, France, Spain and many other adventures.

Born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, on March 14, 1935 to Robert and Wilma Denison, Karen was creative and inquisitive from an early age. She attended Oklahoma University and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Journalism and Advertising. After moving to Houston to work at the Houston Chronicle, she met and married Don Graul, in 1964, and enjoyed Houston’s boom in the 1960’s and 70’s. They adopted Kara and Brooks, built a loving home, and continued to embrace family, friends, and career.

She eventually moved to the Houston Post, and advanced up to the Furnishings Editor, and is well-known for a popular interior design column, “On a Shoe String.” After several years as contributing editor and columnist at Houston Home & Garden and HOME magazines, she started Karen Graul Design in 1984. She designed homes throughout Houston and in several other states, won several AISD awards, and served on the board of directors. In 2019 she wound down her career to focus on beating cancer and enjoying family and friends.

She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved others through every challenge and success, and saw us all in our strongest potential – not our mistakes or weaknesses. Her parting advice was “It takes some thought to make love come first. So think.”

Upcoming services will be held at Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home in Houston, Texas. Please refer to www.bradshawcarter.com for details. In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Association.