Karen Suzanne (Carroll) Swanson, daughter of the late Marion A. “Mac” and Mildred Lorene (Jones) Carroll, was born October 25, 1948, in Springfield, Missouri, and passed away at her home in Seymour, Missouri, August 20, 2026, surrounded by family. She was 77 years, 9 months, and 26 days of age.
Karen married Dennis Swanson in Springfield on August 25, 1965. Two children were born to this union, Jeffrey and Krista. Throughout the years, Karen worked in bookkeeping and accounting.
In her younger years, Karen traveled with her husband while he was in the service. This set the stage for many fun and adventurous family road trips in later years. She loved traveling with Dennis as well as the kids and grandkids and especially loved taking her grandchildren on special shopping trips. Karen could navigate through almost any location or situation. Her mission was to enjoy life with those she loved and in doing so, she made many wonderful memories her family will always treasure.
She and Dennis raised and rode Fox Trotter horses for 45 years and participated in many trail rides with the Missouri Foxtrotting Association. They also had a stable and boarded horses for a time. Karen was a serious gardener. She enjoyed growing lots of produce and beautiful flowers. She loved farm life and spending time outside, enjoying the animals and nature. She was also a wiz at crossword puzzles.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Mildred Carroll, and two brothers, Carey and Eric.
She is survived by her husband of their home Dennis Swanson, her son, Jeffrey Swanson and his wife, Mary, of Diggins, Missouri, her daughter, Krista Kraeger of Springfield, Missouri, six grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Bulmer, Benjamin A. Swanson, Christopher Lee Swanson, Nicole Alexandra Swanson-Wallace, Kara Suzanne Hotelling, and Kassandra Leann Cumbee, six great-grandchildren, one brother, Marton “Marty” Carroll of St. Louis, Missouri, and other relatives and friends who will miss her adventurous spirit.
No services are planned at this time.
