On the evening of Saturday, November 12, 2022, Karen Lindquist Ellwood passed away peacefully in her home at Westminster Place, Evanston, IL. Karen was nearly 85 years old, and died of natural causes related to her long-term struggle with lung and heart disease. She was surrounded by her adoring family. Karen was born in FortContinue Reading
On the evening of Saturday, November 12, 2022, Karen Lindquist Ellwood passed away peacefully in her home at Westminster Place, Evanston, IL. Karen was nearly 85 years old, and died of natural causes related to her long-term struggle with lung and heart disease. She was surrounded by her adoring family.
Karen was born in Fort Dodge, IA, in 1937, the second of three daughters of Arthur Earnest Lindquist, Jr., and Waldine Miller Lindquist. The family moved to Cedar Rapids, IA, where she met and later, while in college, married Scott Ellwood. Karen and Scott eventually landed in Winnetka, IL, where they raised their three children. From a very young age Karen actively pursued her passions for art, design, antiques and travel. She completed her college degree, once all three children were in school, and went on to achieve her ASID design degree. She created several successful businesses throughout her life, beginning with Ellwood & Fiocchi, which designed and made beautiful Christmas ornaments that were hung on the Christmas trees at Marshall Fields department store in downtown Chicago for years. Sandcastle Interiors, her antique store and interior design studio in the heart of downtown Winnetka, became the social hub for friends, clients, and peers for over 25 years.
Travel was an enormous part of Karen’s life, and her zest for knowledge of all cultures, architecture, design, and all things beautiful resulted in quite a lot of globetrotting. After first enlightening her small children with the board game, Masterpiece, many trips to the Chicago Art Institute, and mandatory listening to practice lectures for her Junior League art history presentations, Karen financed and led many trips abroad with her young family. Annual Sandcastle buying trips to England and Asia were enjoyed by all. She also traveled throughout Europe, Africa, Egypt, Dubai, and India and went on multiple cruises with her sister, Marcia, other friends, children and grandchildren, all the while sharing and encouraging this love of exploration in others. She truly believed that experience is the greatest gift she could share.
Although her body was failing her over the last several years, her mind was as sharp as a tack. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends, discussing the stock market and politics, emailing ridiculous memes and funny anecdotes to various friend groups (depending on who could handle what!), and playing online poker, always with her beloved dog, Sophie, at her side!
Karen was so grateful for the constant and loving presence of our cousins, Paige Ellwood (Billy) Keller and Emily Ellwood (Christopher) Wyner, and their families in her life. She cherished the weekly visits from her grand-nephews, Tiber and Jack Keller, and although she couldn’t get out to watch Katherine Wyner’s field hockey games or Will Wyner’s baseball games, she loved hearing them share their stories.
Special thanks are also due to Karen’s loyal caregivers, Marites “Tess” Edillor and Edith Evale; her close friend and dog concierge, Tirrell Johnson; her physicians, Dr. Walter R. Grobelny, Jr., and Dr. John E. Croghan; and the hard-working staff of the Presbyterian Home at Westminster Place, all of whom worked hard to improve the quality of Karen’s life.
Karen was preceded in death by her dear parents, Arthur and Waldine; her former husband, Scott Ellwood; and her dear sister-in-law, Barbara “Babs” Ellwood.
Karen is survived by her three children, Victoria Ellwood (John F.) Moskal, Jr., William Prescott (Edelyn Cobile) Ellwood, and Molly Ellwood (David) Santistevan; grandchildren, Theodore Cook “Ted” Moskal, Matthew Hamilton Moskal, Taylor Jordan (Nick Blaul), George Theodore “Mick” Jordan, Cassandra Blair “Cassie” Jordan, and Aidan Daniel Santistevan; great-grandson, Rowan Jordan Blaul; sisters, Marcia Lindquist and Sherry Lindquist Roseman; and brothers-in-law, John Hamilton Ellwood and Sutherland (Lynn) Ellwood.
A private burial will be conducted later in Gowrie, IA.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore, 620 Lincoln Ave., Suite 209, Winnetka, IL, 60093 (jle-ns.org).
Funeral info: 847.673.6111 or habenfuneral.com to sign guestbook and to leave a condolence message.
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Susan Findlay Conway
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Susan Findlay Conway
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