Karen Swoboda

Feb 10, 1948 -

Oct 9, 2023

Karen J. Swoboda (Miller) of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away at home with her husband lovingly by her side on Oct. 9, 2023, after battling cancer complicated by a debilitating stroke.

Karen was born on Feb. 10, 1948, to Ralph and June (Smeltzer) Miller in Walla Walla, Wash. Karen moved to Alaska in 1974 with her first husband.

She married Richard L. Swoboda in 1980, and they recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.

Karen is survived by their son, Charles (Shannon) Swoboda; three grandchildren, Lucas, Luna and Liam; stepdaughter, Tarah (Michael) Yurchenko; two stepgrandchildren, Sebastian and Theia; and sister, Kathy (David) Messinger. She was predeceased by sister-in-law Georgiana.

Karen enjoyed a career working with clients on interior design, kitchens, baths as well as flooring. In 2014, Karen retired and spent her time landscaping a flower garden, enjoying time with her grandchildren and the beauty of Alaska. In their RV, Karen and Richard traveled thousands of miles reaching the north and south borders and east and west coasts of the United States visiting new and old friends

Karen was an avid collector of Alaska Native Art and developed relationships with a number of local artists.