Karen N. Fretwell

Karen Norman Fretwell, age 71, passed away early Wednesday morning, January 14, 2026, in New Braunfels, Texas. Karen was born on September 6, 1954, in Honolulu, Hawaii at the iconic pink Tripler Army Medical Center.

Karen was the second child born to the late Charles Newt Norman and Betty Rourks Norman. She proudly referred to herself as the “middle sister” to Kathy, Chris, and Kim. The Norman crew grew up together in Refugio, Texas, where their father proudly served as a private pilot for the O’Connor family of Melon Creek Ranch after leaving the Navy. Karen graduated from Refugio High School in 1973 and later attended a secretarial college in Corpus Christi.

Donald Fretwell swept Karen off her feet, and the two were married on July 29, 1978, sharing 21 years of marriage and building their life together in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they had many wonderful friends and neighbors. Though Karen and Don separated in 1999, they chose to remain best friends and keep their family unit intact — a true lesson in grace, respect, and love that many could learn from.

Throughout her 71 years, Karen held several jobs and enjoyed many hobbies. She was employed by Sysco Foods, Wells Fargo Bank, and the Corpus Christi Athletic Club. Like her father, she was an avid woodworker and even began her own wood crafting business. Her most valuable and rewarding role, however, was being a stay-at-home mom to her sons, Bradley and Sean.

Karen welcomed her first son in 1981, affectionately known as Bubba Wayne. Eight years later, Sean joined the family and promptly stole her heart — a fact Karen never denied and Bradley never let her live down. This inside joke kept them laughing for years. Karen instilled in her boys their uncanny ability to lighten any mood with snark, quick wit, and a deep love of laughter. She also taught them the power of forgiveness and the importance of family — lessons both boys have passed on to their own children.

Karen also passed on her love of games. Whether arcade, video, card games, or puzzles, she was always up for fun. Bradley and Sean’s friends knew she was the go-to source for gaming strategies and tricks of the trade. Karen loved to travel and was an adventure seeker at heart. Disney, snow skiing, and anything tropical were her favorite places to be.

Karen’s love language was gift giving. She took great pride in Christmas decorating and had an unmatched talent for lining up wrapping paper perfectly — a secret she refused to share. Everyone knew there were always two things Karen wanted under the tree to add to her collections: Beanie Babies and Disney Villain snow globes, of which she had hundreds.

Nothing made Karen more proud than her eight grandchildren. She did her very best to love and spoil each of them. In her last healthy years, she created priceless core memories while living with Sean and helping care for his girls while he served in the United States Coast Guard in Virginia. That time was incredibly precious to her and deeply cherished.

Karen was a member of First Baptist Church in Refugio and Parkdale Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. After being diagnosed with and bravely battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Karen was patiently and lovingly cared for in Corpus Christi by Don, Kathy, and Kim. She was later moved to New Braunfels, Texas, where she was cared for by her son and the compassionate staff of Kirkwood Manor and Hope Hospice.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Betty Norman.

She is survived by her sons, Bradley Fretwell (Lindsey) and Sean Fretwell (Ali); her grandchildren, Maddie, Emery, PK, Gibson, Zoe, Mia, Callie, and Rhett; her sister Kathy Norman Moerbe (Gary); her brother Chris Norman (Sherrill); her sister Kim Norman Kemp (Mark); and her six nieces and nephews, Kasey, Christopher, Jacob, Katie, Kirsten, and Kelsey, along with their spouses and children.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 16, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lux Funeral Home Chapel, followed by lunch for family and friends.