Karen Jean Alvord, 72, passed away on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 in Racine, Wisconsin. She was born in Hibbing, Minnesota on July 27, 1949 to the late Robert and Jean (nee: Kniep) Swanson. Growing up, Karen spent her summers on Island Lake with her siblings, Roby and Ethel, where they would perfect the art of waterskiing from dusk until dawn. As a young girl, she made it her mission to advocate for the empowerment of women and girls. Karen had a profound faith in her Lord and lived it every day of her life.  She would go on to become an invaluable member of the Girl Scouts of the USA and was later chosen to participate in the International Girl Scouts Roundup in Mexico City. She earned her bachelor's degree at Carthage College where she graduated at the top of her class. Karen was a highly respected mentor to and advocate for disadvantaged women. She donated both her time and clothing to organizations like Dress for Success, a non-profit whose mission is to foster financial independence by providing professional attire as well as the necessary tools to successfully enter the workforce with confidence and personal agency. Her desire to encourage, motivate and empower all people was expansive, so much so that she became a highly-anticipated circuit speaker as well as a personal mentor to the truly authentic and beautifully diverse friends of Bill W. To those who had the privilege of knowing her, Karen's mastery of the spoken word was unmatched. She spoke with urgency and intoxicating enthusiasm while always taking great care to point to and name the things that stir the human heart. Whether she was recounting in astonishing detail the major plot points of the movie, Cars, or speaking words of affirmation to those of us who once thought we were broken, the power of her voice was a thunderclap. This, along with every act of kindness and generosity—are seeds taking root in us all. Let them keep us in a state of perennial growth. Let them remind us that we are always becoming who we are.

"Start out with a positive affirmation. Just give her a try and let me know how that works. And above all, be good to you. Negative energy attracts negative energy. And do you notice that negative energy doesn't even like to be around me? I'm not supposed to be a light; I'm supposed to be a laser beam. And you've got that in you, too." –Karen Jean Alvord

Karen is survived by her loving daughter, Amber Alvord of Pekin, Illinois; grandchildren, Max, Macey, and Alex of Bellevue, Nebraska; sister Ethel (and Terry) Dowling of Stockton, California; sister-in-law, Bonnie Swanson of Caledonia; her nieces, Angie Flores of Racine, Jennifer Bruno of Kenosha, Elizabeth (and Sam) Modder of Racine, and Stephanie Rose Swanson of Burlington; nephew, John (and Leslie) Bruno of Boulder, Colorado; 10 great-grand-nieces and nephews, Breana (and Bobby), Anthony, April, Leaf, Forest, Audrianna, Alexis, Tristan ,Uriah, and Willa; 3 great-great grand-nieces and nephews, Lincoln, Ayden and Alhana, as well as other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her twin brother, Robert Swanson; Maxwell Alvord; nephew, David Flores and great niece, Amber Hetland.

Service Details

The memorial service, celebrating her life will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, September 1 ^st at 6:00 p.m., with Pastor Charlie Hansen officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers memorials should be directed to her family for her children.

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