Karen Wikstrom, loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, and friend, passed away unexpectedly at her home on August 9, 2013. 

 

Karen was born on December 25, 1958, in Ogden, Utah. She was the fifth child-and the adored youngest daughter-of Dorothy and Jack Wikstrom. 

 

Karen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts; a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Utah; and a degree in Studies in Art and Architecture from the City of London Polytechnic. 

 

She was a successful financial analyst and president of Wikstrom Economic and Planning Consultants, Inc. She provided consultation services and analysis for the Utah ski industry, the Sundance Film Festival, transportation departments, the Utah judiciary, Utah municipalities, state parks, major development companies, and national recreation areas. Karen was actively involved in the community and served in several capacities. She served as past president of ASSIST and Artspace. She served on the boards of Children's Aid Society of Utah and the Salt Lake City Community Development Corporation; and was a member of the Utah Women's Business Development Council, the Utah Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial System, the Task Force for Envision Utah Economic Development, and the design assistance teams for Jordan City and Morgan County. She chaired the Salt Lake City House Advisory and Appeals Board, served as a member of the Advisory Board for the College of Architecture & Planning at the University of Utah, and was an adjunct instructor in financial analysis at the University.
Karen was devoted to her children, Elsa and Jack. She delighted in watching them grow and evolve. She was a much-loved aunt to her young nieces and nephews. She took them on camping trips, taught them how to ski and build excellent snowmen, and played soccer with them. Karen was creative and artistic. She painted silk scarves and oil and acrylic landscapes, abstracts, and portraits, and she took pleasure in sharing her art with family and friends. 

 

In her spare time, Karen enjoyed music. She credited her older brothers with influencing her style and taste in different genres. She picked up her first guitar as a way to avoid piano lessons when she was 11, and she continued playing Joni Mitchell songs through college. She began performing and writing her own songs in recent years in Salt Lake City with rock and jazz bands and was featured on Park City television. 
Karen is survived by Elsa and Jack; her sister Mary (Andy); her brothers Fran (Linda), Tom, and Martin (Martha); her nieces Sara (Jay) and Frances; her nephews Matthew (Carey), Trevor, and Alexander; her many cousins, aunts, and uncles; her two Yorkies, Bella and Bart; and her numerous friends, colleagues, and fans. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Dorothy.

 

Karen, in the words of Joni Mitchell, looked at life from all sides. She will forever be in our hearts. 
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to one of Karen's preferred charities; please contact Mary Wikstrom at mwikstrom2013@yahoo.com for a list. 

A memorial service will be held August 17, at 5:00 p.m. at the farm.