Obituaries

Karen Blair Bisgard Alexander drew her last breath on December 21st, 2025, peacefully, surrounded by family at home.

She drew her first breath on September 18, 1936, the younger daughter of Mary Elizabeth and Dr. James Dewey Bisgard of Omaha, Nebraska.

In between, Karen lived a full and largely blessed life of more than 89 years.

Karen grew up in Omaha, attending Brownell Hall, The Ethel Walkers School (Class of 1954) and Vassar College (Class of 1958) where she pursued her love of art history and met her future husband, Walter Alexander.

They married January 3rd, 1959; their planned honeymoon to Cuba derailed by Fidel Castro’s sudden rise to power.

After a year together in Washington DC, they moved to Illinois so Walter could help run the family business, Alexander Lumber Company.

Bearing four children over the next 11 years, Karen dedicated herself to motherhood for which – like so many things in her life – she exhibited genuine gifts.

In 1965, they settled in their forever home on the banks of the Fox River in Geneva, Illinois. As a mother, Karen imbued her children with a love of art, music and language; typified by her endless word play, limericks, and beautifully rendered letters.

In addition to raising her children, Karen loved to garden beside the “Mighty Fox”, to attend musical and theatrical productions, to read and to travel widely.

Friendships flourished and Karen became active in the Geneva public schools, conducting art enrichment classes and fighting hard – though unsuccessfully – for school referenda to support arts and music education in the school system.

Karen was active in local historic preservation efforts and worked on published histories of Geneva and surrounding Kane County.

Karen also began volunteering at the Art Institute in Chicago, becoming more involved as her children grew up. Initially a docent, Karen became a member of what is now the department of Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, joined the Women’s Board, and eventually served on the Art Institute Board of Trustees. For fifty years, Karen volunteered as a scholar and a champion of the museum.

Throughout, Karen exhibited a grace and gentle strength obvious to all who knew her. A beloved mother, a trusted friend, a true colleague – might we all hope to be as much.

Karen is predeceased by her husband Walter Alexander, her sister Zibby Oneal; brothers-in-law Bob Oneal and Tom Alexander, and dear nephew John Alexander.

Karen is survived by her four children: Blair, Eliza, Watt, and Martha; son-in law Rich, daughter-in-law Roberta, eleven grandchildren: Silas, Ellie, Nate, Duncan, Angus, Marshall, Sam, Giulia and husband Mikey, Sylvie, Beatrice and Thea; one great-grandchild, Stokely; many beloved nieces and nephews; and her brothers- and sisters-in-law: Mary Ann, John and Emily, Ann, Duncan and Kit.

Particular thanks to the team of helpers who assisted Karen: Joyce, Emi, Brenda, Ola, Maura and the staff of Amada Senior Care

A memorial service will be held at 10am on May 9, 2026 at the Congregational Church, 21 S Batavia Ave. in Batavia, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Northern Illinois Foodbank, 273 Dearborn Court Geneva, IL 60134 (www.solvehungertoday.org)

• Send Flowers
• Guest Book
• Share
• Email
• Print