Karin Schrader
Jan 8, 1939 -
Dec 12, 2025
Karin Grace Schrader, 86, peacefully passed away after several years from Alzheimer's on Dec. 12, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska.
She was born on Jan. 8, 1939, to George Young and Grace Lydia Smith in Minneapolis, Minn.
She met Thomas "Tom" Richard Schrader in June 1955, while working as a new waitress at Bills Grill in Minneapolis, where Tom often came for lunch on his break from Cooks Pure Oil gas station. It's said that Karin always served him the way he wanted his order even though the menu plainly stated "no substitutions."
Karin and Tom were married on Sept. 18, 1956, after eloping to Iowa. Karin was a young bride at 17, while Tom was 21. Tom had joined the Air Force prior to their marriage and was sent to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. After getting married, Karin went back home to her parents for a short time but then flew to Anchorage to be with her husband. Last September they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.
Tom and Karin lived for many years in Alaska and had five children, all girls: Jenny, Kathy, Patty and twins, Krissy and Alicia. Karin was a stay-at-home mom until after the family's sailing adventure ended in 1978. After returning to Anchorage, she became a customer service agent for Alaska Airlines where she worked for 15 years before retiring.
Karins passion was gardening; she planned out an extensive garden plan each year. Her backyard was always beautiful! She also loved spending time with her daughters and grandchildren, traveling with Tom by car, small plane, 5th wheel or boat, camping out and doing all the things that Alaskans love to do.
Karin loved Tom and it showed in so many ways. She followed him everywhere without question. She first followed him to Alaska. Then the family lived in Galena, on the Yukon River, where he bush-piloted, then to Melozi Hot Springs for a short time. Then back to Anchorage and finally on to Florida to start their sailing adventure in 1976 aboard their 40' sailboat, Carina, sailing from Florida and back up to Alaska via the Panama Canal. Tom and Karin also traveled years later in their powered cruiser boat, the Karin Grace, where they motored from Alaska to Mexico for the winters.
Karin was baptized at the 10th Avenue Church of Christ - aka the Little Log Cabin Church - in 1959 by Hal Watkins. She was later a member of Government Hill Church of Christ that then later merged to become Faith Christian Community. She also participated many years in a Bible Study Fellowship. She gained many friends with her sweet, kind and quiet demeanor.
She is survived by her beloved family – husband, Thomas Richard Schrader; children, Jenny Karin Pompura (John, deceased), Katherine Henley (Calvin deceased), Patricia Ann Kilson (Timothy), Kristina Lee Jarosch (Thomas) and Alicia Faye Shaw (James); grandchildren, John Thomas Pompura, Elijah Henley, Katie Zapata, Travis Kilson, Jessica Shaw and Kari Shaw; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, George E. Smith (Catherine); and stepsister, Donna Smith.
Karin was preceded in death by her parents, George Y. Smith, Grace L. Cook-Smith and stepmother, Marion Smith.
We are deeply grateful for the kind, compassionate and professional care that Karin received at the Jewel Lake Assisted Living Home.
A memorial service in Karins honor will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Christian Church of Anchorage, 10800 Lake Otis Parkway in Anchorage. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association are appreciated.
