GAIL PALMER Obituary

GAIL PALMER Gail Louise Palmer (Douglass) would hate the attention. She wouldn't want her name in the paper, let alone a whole section devoted to her. She preferred to be the quiet, steady force behind her daughter, Ericka Jarvis, son-in-law Alex, and granddaughter Emma; to exchange knowing glances with her sister-in-law Leisa as her younger brothers, Michael and Jeff, filled the room with banter; to miss her late brother Todd, and to laugh about the trouble those three gave their parents, Helen (Voelkert) and Dale Douglass. Gail was a giver of thoughtful gifts, fierce love, and encouragement. She especially cherished doting on her nephews, Nathan, Sam, and Jeremy Douglass, in their younger years, alongside their mother Emily. Gail delighted in planning gifts for her grand-niece, Poppy, the newest addition to the family through her niece, Elaina Murphy, and her husband, Robbie. Gail was born in Peru, Indiana on November 23, 1953. The family lived in Lexington, Kentucky for a time before settling in Oxford, Ohio. After earning her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Miami University of Ohio, Gail moved to southeast Nebraska to begin her first job at ESU #4. She never left. For 45 years, she supported rural schools, cherished her students, and found great friendships with her colleagues. She loved learning and passed that love on to her daughter. In Nebraska, Gail began to find her place, first by joining a bowling league. Then, she met Arthur "Art" Ruel Palmer, a school psychologist originally from Missouri. On their first date, he asked her, "What's your philosophy of life?" They married in 1982 and settled in Syracuse, Nebraska. Their daughter, Ericka, arrived two years later, a life-threatening pregnancy that sealed their small but complete family of three. A beloved, small black rescue dog named Nicky would come later to make it four. Alongside Gail, Art would face many health struggles. She became both caretaker and provider, working full-time, taking on weekend shifts at rehab centers, and still always home by 5:15 for dinner, family time, or one of Ericka's activities. She and Art built a life centered around love and learning. They spent much of their time working in their garden and enjoyed going to murder mystery dinners with dear friends as empty nesters. Art passed away from prostate cancer in 2008. Gail faced her own health battles with quiet grit. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2011, she endured weekly chemo and a 2017 stem cell transplant, all while working. She and Ericka took special trips together when they could, relishing their time together. Gail loved her son-in-law, Alex, and was overjoyed to become Nana to Emma in 2020. Ericka and her family moved from Minnesota to Bennington in 2021 to be closer to Gail. In 2024, Gail bravely relocated from her familiar home of Syracuse to Omaha, the proximity allowing even more time with family. Over 15 years, Gail fought three cancers: multiple myeloma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Even as her body tired, her spirit was determined to fight. She remained practical, hopeful, and always more concerned about others' burdens than her own. On July 3, 2025, Gail died at age 71, reunited with Art after 17 years. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, her last days filled with music, Star Trek Voyager, the movie Independence Day, and Emma's giggles. "Love you! Be good." Memorial gifts are directed via GoFundMe.com (Search term: NCECBVI) A Celebration of Life will be held at her home in Omaha on August 16, 2-5:30 pm. Information can be found on eventbrite.com (Search term: Gail Palmer)