Karma Lee Poulson Swain

Karma Lee Poulson Swain, beloved daughter of Leo and Virginia Poulson and sister of Lynn and Charlotte, was the eternal companion and sweetheart of Keith Swain. A devoted mother, special educator, and cherished friend to all, she passed peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026.

Born on February 23, 1940, in Provo, Utah, Karma grew up in the historic family home her grandfather Otto Poulson built on Orem’s State Street in 1912. She often recalled her childhood in Orem as joyful and idyllic, filled with neighborhood adventures, roller skating, strawberry picking, and time spent with friends and cousins at the nearby SCERA Theater. Above all, she loved softball. She graduated from Orem High School in 1958 and attended Brigham Young University and Utah State University.

On June 29, 1961, she married the love of her life, Keith Swain. Their early years together took them to the West Coast while Keith pursued his career and education. They began their family in Logan, Utah, before living in Crescent City, California, Corvallis, Oregon, and Puyallup, Washington. They eventually returned to Utah, settling in Orem and later American Fork, where they raised seven children. Building a home and raising their family was their greatest joy. Karma taught her children the values of work, learning, and service through hands-on lessons in gardening, baking, bottling fruit, sewing, and helping others.

Even while raising a large family, Karma returned to Brigham Young University to complete her degree in special education, graduating alongside her oldest son. She taught for twenty years as a special educator, primarily at Forbes Elementary, where she became a tireless advocate for her students. She saw divinity and brilliance in each child, taught them to read, and helped them discover confidence and opportunity. Recognized as one of the state’s top special educators, she trained other teachers and worked to bring special education programs out of the shadows and into the heart of the school. Many of her former students later sought her out as adults to thank her for the lasting impact she had on their lives.

At the core of Karma’s life was her deep testimony of Jesus Christ and her devoted service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in many callings, teaching Cub Scouts, Young Women, and Relief Society with the same energy and love she gave her students. Later in life, she and Keith served three missions together, including in addiction recovery, at Deseret Industries, and as temple workers in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. She had a remarkable gift for friendship, making everyone feel welcome, and her home was a gathering place filled with warmth, humor, and faith.

Karma is survived by her seven children and their spouses: Monte (Shannon) Swain, Scott (Leann) Swain, Kalene (Bryan) Mathews, Trent (Janette) Swain, JaNae (Darin) Hakes, Eric (Stacie) Swain, and Megan (Aaron) Coxson. She was welcomed into eternity by her beloved husband Keith and their son Jefferson Keith Swain. She and Keith are the proud grandparents of 37 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, soon to be 29.