Karen Irene Alcorn

Karen (Red) Irene (Ellis) Alcorn was born September 26, 1943. Karen passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on October 26, 2023. She was 80 years and 1 month old.

Karen was one of seven children born to John and Ruby Ellis. Karen was born and raised in Grand Island, Nebraska and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1962. Growing up, Karen loved horses and riding them as often as possible. She was always ready to share stories of her favorite horses and how important they were in her life as a child.

Karen was a stay-at-home mom while her children were growing up. She started her working career in the grocery business as a deli clerk at Hinky Dinky. There she made several lifelong friends.  The family home on Sheridan Boulevard in Lincoln was where Karen enjoyed providing a second home to many of her children’s friends. The pool was the center of attraction where friends and family gathered to enjoy Karen’s cooking and celebrate special events or just relax and have fun. Many lasting memories were made around the pool and in her home.

After her three children graduated from Southeast High School, Karen moved to Estes Park, Colorado where she lived for over twenty  years. Her daughter Melody, grandchildren and great grandchildren lived in surrounding areas and were a great joy to Karen during this time. She worked at Safeway as a deli clerk and then as a meat wrapper until she retired.  

In 2013, Karen and her dog Marely moved back to Lincoln where she could spend quality time with her children Mitch and Marti and their growing families. In addition, time with grandchildren and great grandchildren was so important to Karen and brought her such great delight. Even at the age of 70 Karen was thrilled to have opportunities to babysit any of her kids’ kids or grandkids. In addition to being a great back seat driver, Karen was a very special mother-in-law, reminding the spouses that her kids were the best. Karen was able to renew her relationship with her dear friends Dick and Linda Eisenbarth. As neighbors they enjoyed hours of fun together and made forever memories. In her 55+ neighborhood Karen was adored by her neighbors and will be missed in that small community of friends.

Karen enjoyed traveling as often as possible to Colorado, South Dakota or Grand Island to visit her children, siblings, extended families and dear friends.

Karen is survived by her children: Son, Mitchell (Rhonda) Alcorn; grandson Caleb (Tiffany) Alcorn; great grandchildren Maci, Harper, McKinley and Hunter; step grandchildren Jenny (Aaron) Deschane, Benjamin Craig and Luke Craig.

Daughter Marti (Dale) Mueting; granddaughter Samantha (Drew) Mac; great grandchildren Brecken, Korver and Daxton; grandson Nicholas (Heidi) Mueting and great grandson Barrett.

Daughter Melody (Tim) Hade; granddaughter Jesse (Chase) Knutson; great grandchildren Brayden and Dylan Rainwater, grandson Craig (Amy) Lienmann; great grandchildren Clayton, Jackie, Dominic and Kayanna; granddaughter Sydney (Shane) Peterson; great grandchildren Zachariah and Zander; grandson Joel (Sarah) Hade.

Sisters: Lavonne Hansen and Beverly (Babe) and Lamoyne Darnall.

Preceded in death by her parents; brothers Wayne and Jonny Ellis; Sisters; Marylin Lif and Linda Eilts.

The family will be having a private service at a later date.

Memorials to Capitol Humane Society.