First Reading  2 Timothy: 4: 7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day—

and not only to me but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

For One Who Lived Life Fully (Adapted from John O’Donohue)  

May you remember her laughter when you hear music or feel the sun on your face.

May you carry her courage each time you challenge yourself,

And her compassion each time you lend a hand.

She believed in moving—through life, through love, through whatever came her way.

She found joy in helping, healing, and lifting others higher.

Let us honor her not with sorrow alone,

But by living as she did—

With strength in the body, kindness in the heart,

And lightness in the soul.

When we walk, run, dance, or simply breathe deeply,

May we feel her presence—

Strong, vibrant, and free.

Gospel   Matthew: 5: 1-12a 

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,  for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst, for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil

   against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Homily

It is my honor to share with you some reflections on the wonderful life of an amazing woman — a true example for all of us on the way to lead a life: A life full of adventure, a life full of reaching out to help others. A life of making a difference in the lives of institutions and individuals. A life of deep meaning. A life of beauty. A life of family. And a life of JOY. But that joy was not just what she experienced. It was what she brought to people and to organizations. She not only made the difference … she was the difference.

Joy was what Kari lived with. It is what she lived. It was in her heart and soul. It was, and is at the very core of her being. It is what she invested in everything she did. It was her purpose in life, and it was a mark she left everywhere. In many ways her loving and close-knit family had to share her with the world. And now they share her with God Almighty Himself where the Heavens are now filled with more music and dance and laughter and yes, even group work out sessions than they have never had. Joy, smiles, and laughter abound. Her heart is filled with love and joy … a heavenly love and joy that even now pours down upon us and will forever do so.

All we have to do is be open to it. Be open to living JOY, and, of course , as she would demand (WITH A SMILE) . That smile of hers is now yours.

It is your badge. Engage the world with it, for the world needs it now more than ever. Pass it on for the rest of your lives . THUS MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL. A PLACE OF PEACE JOY AND EQUALITY.

Kari, and her wonderful husband Mark, took a great and long journey together with many twists and turns, surprises and challenges, but they made it because of their commitments to and love for each other, to their children to their grandchildren, to their children’s spouses and to their friends. The world is, indeed, a better place because of them.

But make no mistake – Kari is not gone. This service of remembrance and prayer is simply a new beginning and for Kari an awesome and unending adventure of joy and wonderful, beautiful newness.

She is still here with us, but in a different way … a deeper and richer way, a more significant way in her Heavenly Kingdom, and if you reach out to her in meditative prayer you will feel her presence and support, her Joy To The World. She is still with you and supporting you, just in different and awesomely glorious new ways. Know that she is near. Know that she is always at your side. All you have to do is believe.

You will see her sparkle as the gentle snows of the coming season fall before your eyes and upon your face bringing peace and challenge and endurance to your determination to do what must be done. Make the world a better place. Paint it, and those who dwell therein with her love, joy, peace and enthusiasm.

Make it a better place.

Be open to her slow revelation of herself as the gentle, yet strong winds of summer days embrace you urging you on to be happy, helpful, and successful in making the world a better place. Listen to her in the peaceful gurgling of woodland streams and the crashing of powerful ocean waves into the experiences of life and the challenges that we must overcome for the sake of humanity itself. We are now all ambassadors of hers to the world. Prove yourself worthy of the challenge. Make her proud.

Bring a smile to her face.

As you ponder on her and her life lessons realize and believe that a great challenge for making the world a better, and even more powerfully, beautiful creation has been bequeathed onto you. But it is done with a smile and joy because she knows you can and will do it. Her mission is being passed on to you.

Let it be so, let it be so. Let it be so.

And realize that your relationship with Kari is not ending. She is simply inviting you with open hands to a journey of love and glory into eternity and preparing you for your day of resurrection. It will come for all of us. All you have to do is pray to her and believe in a wondrous tomorrow where she now waits for you with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. Be patient for there is no time waiting for us or limiting us in heaven and you all have a beautiful wondrous celebration waiting for your arrival.

The end of life is a passage all of us will walk thru some day. But those who have passed away are not under the ground, nor are they absent from us.

Kari is here smiling right now with her special smile and with joy that she is already spreading to all of us AT THIS VERY MOMENT. Yes, there are tears, but they are tears of love for each of you for the sorrow you hold in your hearts.

Now, in Kari’s name, and with her support, and JOY let us go forth, and make the world a beautiful, more healthy, more peaceful, and more wonderful place allowing Kari to lead us with her joyful smile and unending enthusiasm. Just quietly listen to her speak to you – in the powerful storms, and gentle winds of life, as you breathe in the sweet aromas of life contained; in beautiful flowers, and feel the cold snow covered mountains of life and you will find Kari there with a smile guiding you, spraying your heart and soul with joy, and energy helping you.

ALWAYS see and feel her support and love.

May her talents, beliefs and convictions now be yours, to carry on her talent, her legacy and her love.

Kari is right here right now … unseen, but gloriously present. But it does not end here nor does it end on this day … for you will see her presence in the glory of a beautiful sunrise, and the peaceful magnificence of a wondrous sunset. You will feel her gentle caress across your face as a cool summer breeze brushes against you on a warm summer day.

And remember — you have all gained an advocate in heaven. She will not let you down!

Now that is not a bad thing, even for those of you who may not believe in it. You see “it” and she BELIEVES IN YOU.

No, the dead are not under the ground. And since there is no such thing as time in the construct of Heaven. I mean we are talking eternity. You will not need your watch. For Kari, upon the arrival of each of us, will also feel like she just got there herself. And she will greet you with an abundance of love and joy along with her beautiful smile, and of course … a hug. Then she will immediately introduce you to the ALMIGHTY Himself.

To all this I say

LET IT BE, LET IT BE, LET IT BE, LET IT BE LET IT BE

SPEAKING WORDS OF WISDOM…

LET IT BE LET IT BE.

AMEN

Thank you all for being here today. Kari would be deeply honored, touched — and yes, a little embarrassed — to see so many of you gathered in her memory. My family and I are truly grateful for your compassion and support.

We’re here to celebrate and honor the beautiful life of my wife — my partner, my compass — Kari Anderson.

To stand here and speak about her is both the greatest challenge and the deepest honor of my life. A challenge, because words will never be enough. An honor, because Kari’s life was a living story — written each day in love, in movement, and in grace.

From the beginning, Kari’s life was defined by movement. She began ballet at five, already showing the artistry, focus, and quiet determination that would shape everything she became.

As a teenager, she won a Jr. National Gold Medal in synchronized swimming, then earned a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet in New York — her first big crossroad. She later came home to Seattle and earned degrees in Speech Communication and Exercise Science.

And it was during those years — while working at JCPenney at Northgate she met a guy next in the shoe department. That simple meeting became the start of a lifetime partnership — in family, in business, and in life and love.

Kari found her true dance calling in aerobics — a brand-new fitness concept at the time. She saw the magic in it right away: the music, the movement, and the joy of helping others feel strong.

In 1982, she opened her first small studio in the basement of the old Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard. She quickly outgrew that space. In 1983, she moved to Queen Anne Hill — into the old KIRO building. The landlord wasn’t sure her “aerobics concept” would last, so he only offered her a month-to-month lease.

A few years later, she bought the building.

That building became The Seattle Gym — still thriving today, and part of her legacy. What started as a dream grew into a community — a place filled with music, laughter, and connection.

From those walls, her influence soon reached everywhere. Kari became an internationally recognized leader in fitness and dance, invited to conventions all over the world. Her choreography — full of rhythm, joy, and precision — changed how people moved and how they felt about themselves.

She made fitness feel like freedom, and movement feel like music.

As a Nike-sponsored athlete, she created over thirty award-winning fitness videos and earned many honors including International Fitness Instructor of the Year, Fitness Businessperson of the Year, and most recently, induction into the National Fitness Hall of Fame.

Through it all, she never led with ego — she led with her heart. She lifted others up, helped them believe in themselves, and shared what she believed most deeply — that motion is one of the purest ways to share joy.

But what truly defined Kari wasn’t the spotlight or all the awards. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a proud and devoted mother to Danielle, Anthony, and Nicole, and a deeply loving grandmother to her four treasures — James and Wesley; little Isabelle; and Joey.

They were her heart, her joy, her proudest accomplishment.

She made every gathering brighter — from Christmas mornings to Bainbridge summer days, from Whistler ski trips with the Anderson clan, to family cruises, Hiking the Cascades or late night blackjack. She was the heartbeat of it all — the laughter in the room, the warmth in every celebration.

Kari shared a lifelong bond with her sisters, Annie, Kristy, and her brother Eric. Their closeness, laughter, and shared history were among her life’s greatest joys.

Beyond her accomplishments, what defined Kari most was her soul (spirit). She cared deeply, gave endlessly, and carried herself with compassion and grace that made everyone feel special.

Her warmth came from a deep well of faith and gratitude. She believed in living with kindness, lifting others up, and giving more than you take. She supported countless causes — from Seattle Children’s Hospital to City of Hope — and quietly helped people behind the scenes when they needed it most, never seeking recognition, only wanting to make a difference.

Even this year when life brought enormous challenges, Kari met them with courage, humor, and grace. She kept caring about others — sending notes of encouragement, asking about their families — even when she was the one in pain.

She taught us/me that true strength isn’t just physical; it’s the courage to keep showing up with an open heart, no matter what.

She balanced my world — though I’ll admit, living up to her standards wasn’t always easy. After 43 years, I apparently still never mastered the art of loading a dishwasher. I was never trusted to make a bed — and a few years ago, I was officially banned from mowing the lawn. (It seems my passes with the lawnmower weren’t quite parallel enough.)

But that was Kari — she had a beautiful eye for detail and a deep sense of how things should be done. She challenged me, supported me, and reminded me — every day — of what truly matters: family, laughter, and purpose.

She could command a stage one day, then quietly comfort a friend the next. She could lead hundreds through a high-energy workout, then hold our grandkids in her arms with that same energy of joy and peace.

She was both fierce and gentle. Powerful and kind. Beautiful inside and out.

Her legacy lives on in every person she inspired, every class she led, every heart she lifted. Everything about her —reflected a spirit that will never fade.

Kari, thank you — for your light, your laughter, your love.

You filled my life with joy and gave my world its meaning.

You’ll always be my rhythm, my inspiration, and the love that moves through everything I do.

Rest gently now,

You are with me — always.

**Beautifully shared in the moment**

I LOVED Kari.

And it feels good to start there because I know it is exactly how every one of you here today feels about her.

I KNOW how much her family loved her. Mark, Anthony, Danielle and Nicole, it has always been evident in every moment of time I got to see you spending together. Or any time Kari talked about you or her grandkids. You could always hear it in her voice.

And I know how much all of her friends loved her because I was one of them, and it was simply impossible not to.

But my relationship with Kari didn’t start with love. It started with full blown, sweaty anxiety attack.

It was 35 years ago, and we met right here in Seattle. I was still in college with sunny ambitions of becoming a fitness star. I had paid my way through school by teaching exercise classes, and became well-known in my little town not because I was any good, but because I was one of the few men that was willing to get up in front of the room at that time.

A friend of mine lived in Seattle, and suggested I come to town to teach a class to other instructors in the area. We had big ambitions of making a few hundred dollars, and building my resume by finally having me teach a class outside of California - big dreams of becoming a “multi-state" fitness expert.

So many of the energetic and wonderful people here today know what working in the group fitness world was like back then. It wasn’t much. A record player. Janky speakers. No microphone, just a lot of yelling. A cracked mirror. Cement floors covered in carpet, and a lot of bad outfits.

I had to make a flyer using hand placed stencils, and a photo that looked like something out of my high school year book. Then hand-address the flyers, and mail them to gyms in the area using stamps. For the young folks, I can explain stamps later.

Well, you will never believe who paid to show up alongside the other 9 people in attendance...Kari! It was earlier in her career as well, but she was already a renowned fitness celebrity. And when I realized it was her, my stomach JUST dropped.

I am SURE I had a little pee running down my leg.

I can remember the room vividly, and exactly where she stood in the 2nd row over my right shoulder.

I was NOT good. If fact, I am sure it was an absolute traffic accident of a class.

But Kari stayed till the very end.

As always, she moved gorgeously (like nothing I had ever seen before)...smiled generously and gave me encouraging energy. And then she even stayed after the class to say hi, and learn a bit more about me and my journey.

With her quiet demeanor we all know so well, she made me feel seen...and special...and important. Something I later learned was one of her super powers.

In just that 2 hour moment, Kari upped my game. In her presence, I tried harder, I moved more thoughtfully, I stood taller, I smiled bigger, I cared more, my communication was more precise and in our short conversation at the end, I found myself more focused and present.

Even as a STUDENT in MY class, she helped me understand what excellence really looked like. Not just when you were at the front of the room, but when you were playing a supporting role for someone else too.

I survived that day. But that was a very specific moment that I know for sure changed the course of my life. Quite simply, she inspired me in ways that are difficult to express.

I’ve always felt like Kari demonstrated that always doing your best...trying your hardest...obsessing over the details...was like a LOVE LETTER to the universe. A way of demonstrating your deep appreciation for humanity, and showing gratitude for your gifts.

I know I speak for all of her fitness industry friends her today when I say that Kari just made us better. Individually and personally. But also collectively. She was OUR North Star. None of us could be like her, of course. But Kari helped inspire us to be the best version of ourselves. Pushing a little harder, practicing a little longer...polishing our work till it shined like her.

And I know she did that even for people who didn’t work in the fitness industry.

Her students, her teammates, her colleagues, her friends. She set the ultimate example that excellence and deep care should be a part of every element of your life...your relationships, your family, your hobbies, your philanthropy, your humanity...ALL of the moments in your life’s journey.

I was so lucky...the Kari that showed up that morning to my class is the same one that showed up for me for 35 more years.

Our relationship was special not because we saw each other every day, but because of the texture, and fun and depth we were fortunate enough to put INTO the moments we did spend together. Special time, meaningful work, far away trips, laughs and memories. And a few videos we got to do together that remains one of the highlights of my career.

Kari made an indelible and beautiful mark on me as a friend, a leader, a husband and a dad. I will never forget her, the friendship we shared, and for everything she has done to make me a better human.

And I know I share those feelings on behalf of so many of you here today as well.

And like many of you, I have always been inspired by Kari’s family.

Mark, you and Kari’s relationship has been like watching a love affair for the ages.

Your ability to work together, play together, build a full life together while raising such incredible children and grandchildren has been a wonderful example to so many.

You may not know this, but getting the opportunity to watch you and Kari build your family helped inspired me to dream big about a family of my own. And you did so at a time when I never even thought I would be able to get married, let alone have a child. Ryan and I thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for setting such a great example for us.

Danielle and Nicole, you are both such beautiful reflections of your mother, and she loved you so much. Some of my favorite moments with Kari were grabbing coffee in a far away city where we would both working in, and hearing the pride in her voice as she talked about both of you and your adventures.

And Anthony, it is such an embarrassment of riches that after getting the opportunity to be lifelong friends with your mom, I got to spend almost a decade with you in San Francisco building OUR friendship that is such a beautiful extension of the one I had with your mother.

You are a good man, wonderful husband and AMAZING dad. Your mom ADORED you. And I am as proud to know YOU as your mother was OF you.

I can’t wait to share many more memories with you and your growing family. Of course, always with your mother’s loving giggle quietly in the background of our minds as Brooklyn and Joey grow up and hopefully get into some good girl mischief that would make your mom proud.

But I am still not going to tell you any of the secret stories your mom shared about you with me when you were growing up BEFORE she knew we’d end up being buddies too.

Kari was an amazing friend, incredible mother, devoted wife, brilliant thinker, hard worker, talented artist, world class athlete, breathtaking mover, ethical leader, generous contributor, loyal partner in crime, thoughtful human and caring citizen...

The list is endless because her deep commitment to living a full and beautiful life has been ABSOLUTE.

And the evidence of this is so obvious by simply observing the impact she has made on the people who have known her. In many ways, she has been the majestic inspiration that so many of us have tried to model our own lives after.

There is no such thing as a perfect life, of course. But there is such a thing as a life perfectly lived. One full of passion and love and battles and triumphs and laughter and joy and deep friendships and most importantly family.

Kari had this and so much more.

I woke up this morning feeling a giant wave of gratefulness. In all of the sadness that she is gone too soon...I am ALSO feeling SO blessed.

And thinking to myself...

“How LUCKY we all are....to have known someone SO amazing...that it makes saying goodbye SO hard.”

Dance with the angels, my dear sweet friend!

Hi everyone, thanks for being here to celebrate the life of my amazing mom. I’m one of Mark and Kari’s three children. The middle child, the momma’s boy. You’ll hear a beautiful poem from my sisters, Danielle and Nicole, shortly, but I’m granted the honor of speaking now on what it was like to be the child of this incredible woman

It’s hard to describe the experience of having your hero also be your mom. Most of you know the fitness superstar—lighting up stages worldwide, leading hundreds in choreography at conventions, and tens of thousands more sweating to her videos at home. That version of mom was perfection: bright blue eyes, warm smile, comforting tone of voice. Powerful yet encouraging.

As her children, we fell in love with that version too. I have vivid memories of walking onto those big stages after she finished, binky in my mouth (and likely one in each hand), watching my mom sign autographs. Here was my hero, under spotlight, in her element and enjoying a perfect moment sharing her talents and passions with people who celebrate them. 

Now…I hope this isn’t a surprise to any of you…but perfection is an illusion. It takes work. And my mom put in that work because she loved motivating and empowering others. And this doesn’t just extend to her work in fitness. Anyone that played tennis with her, volunteered on a community project with her, or enjoyed one of her holiday parties got to experience the heroic and selfless side of my mom.

 But, believe it or not, our mom herself wasn’t perfect. The greatest gift she gave her children was leaving that facade outside the house and letting us experience the fullness of who she was. Don’t worry - we were blessed with plenty of smiles, encouragement, and perfect mommy moments. 

But mom also still showed up when things got hard — for example, what most people don’t see are the hours she spent dreaming up and toiling over the perfect choreography. My room was right below her home studio. I remember doing my homework to the sound of 160 BPM disco music blaring from above, hearing her cue her steps. Stopping the track, rewind, do it again. Stop, rewind, again. She’d vent to dad at the dinner table when a shoot was approaching and she hadn’t perfected that blend of choreo, music, and artistry. 

In sharing her whole self with us, we learned such an important lesson. That life and the people within it are complex, and in that complexity lay all the beauty and joy of living, as well as the struggle. Our mom showed us how to navigate that seemingly impossible dichotomy, that living is difficult and because it’s difficult it’s beautiful. The older I got, the more clearly I realized how strong she was to show us weakness. To show us that true heroism comes from facing life’s difficulties with resilience, and a smile when you can manage, but not pretending like it’s always easy. 

I remember when the Covid pandemic first hit, my mom’s immediate reaction was to mobilize for others. The world was shutting down, including The Seattle Gym. If you know my mom, you know those gyms are just as much her children as we are. To close them, for an unspecified amount of time, was devastating and scary. Yet her main worry was about the health, both mental and physical, of her fitness community. She, in her mid-60s, decided to informally pursue what felt like a Masters in video production as she dove into figuring out how to equip her studio with an A/V set up allowing her to livestream workout classes for her gym members. Here she is - Kari, the hero. When it felt like the world was ending, she made sure that the people she cared for at least had an aerobics class to turn to.

But months later, while sharing a cold glass of Chardonnay on the deck of our cabin, she let her armor fall. She admitted how scared and overwhelmed she actually was. I cherish that memory. There’s so much love in the simple act of trusting, of reaching out and giving someone you care about the chance to share the burden of living.

What a gift, to have your hero be your mom. But she made it better by allowing us to be a safe space for our hero in return. It set us up for an admittedly complex relationship over the years, but one that grew deeper, realer, and more rewarding year after year.

I’ll be angry for quite a while that our journey ended sooner than we both expected, and there’s a little kid in me who feels so alone, still reaching out calling for mommy to help him navigate the chaos of life.. But it was comforting how easy it was to come up with this remembrance of her. 

My memories of my mom are wonderful, varied, and full of the same joy, support, and wisdom that I got from her in person. She has so much left to teach me, to teach each of us, and while I want nothing more than to have her teaching me in person, bright blue eyes and all, she left me with plenty to admire and learn from for years to come.

I love you and miss you Mom. We all do.

A Beautiful Life by Lisa Buscomb 

I’ve been thinking, that life isn’t really about all that you achieve
  or that your dream comes true exactly as you hoped it would.

A beautiful life is about the journey and adventures along the way. 

A beautiful life is when you kept going even when things felt hard.

A beautiful life is experiencing the new paths that you weren’t expecting. 

A beautiful life is the people you meet along the way. 

A beautiful life, is simply life.  All of it. 

It’s not the end, it’s not the achievement, it’s not the destination. 

It’s every day and every moment along the way.