A soaring spirit sets this mother of four apart

Whentragedy strikes, people react in very different ways. Some become angry and bitter. Others, like Kelly Alvar, somehow transform their grief into something beautiful.

Today, Kelly is a wife and mom raising two young and active boys, Jonas and Elias. She is a registered nurse who is passionate about volunteering her time for social causes. But, spend just a few minutes getting to know Kelly, and you’ll learn that a large part of her strength, and her passion for helping others, was inspired out of grief.

Kelly’s two other precious sons, Isaiah and Mason, died in their infancy. Out of the depths of despair, Kelly picked herself up and made it her mission to ensure that other families could avoid the same fate. She has become intricately involved with the March of Dimes, and soon, will even operate a local foundation.

It is for these reasons that Kelly is the recipient of The Woman Today’s Spirit Award, intended to honor a woman who has shown exceptional courage and determination. It is given to a woman who has been through tough times and survived to tell the tale.

Country girl

Kelly grew up in rural Duluth. After her parents’ divorce, she moved with her dad to Cloquet, where she graduated high school.

She and her husband, Nate, have

Kelly Alvar Spirit Award

known each other since childhood. They grew up on the same road and attended the same church. There are even pictures of Nate and Kelly taking their first communion together.

They became a couple during college and were engaged a few years later. They wed in 2004.

Kelly graduated from Lake Superior College with her nursing degree, and Nate has a doublebachelor’s and a master’s degree. Today, Kelly is an RN at St. Luke’s, and

Nate is the vice president of a product development company.

Isaiah

In 2006, Kelly became pregnant, and the couple were elated. Kelly had always wanted to be a mom. During her pregnancy, however, the doctors became aware that baby Isaiah was sick and may not survive long after birth. Kelly delivered Isaiah at 36 weeks. Tragically, he lived just 20 short minutes, before passing peacefully in his mother’s arms.

Team Alvar

After taking some time to process their grief, Kelly and Nate became involved in the Duluth branch of the March of Dimes, whose mission is to ensure all babies are born healthy. “We couldn’t have Isaiah back, but we wanted to make a difference for other babies,” Kelly said.

Eventually, Kelly, Nate and many family members and friends formed “Team Alvar,” pouring their hearts into the organization. They completed the March for Babies many times, and Kelly served on the board.

Mason

Just three months after Isaiah’s death, Kelly was thrilled to discover she was pregnant again. Once again, however, she delivered early; Mason was born at just 26 weeks’ gestation.

On his third day of life, the Alvars were told that Mason needed emergency surgery, and he was life-flighted to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Ultimately, Kelly once again faced the unimaginable task of holding her precious child while he left this earth.

Moving forward

Despite facing two indescribable tragedies within one year, Kelly and Nate continued putting one foot in front of the other.

“Isaiah and Mason were gone, but I still had a life to live,” Kelly said. “If I can make a difference and ensure another family doesn’t go through this, it’s as good as it can get.”

Kelly poured herself into charitable causes. She and her mother-in-law, Christy Alvar, started making jewelry featuring guardian angel babies, stars and other spiritual symbols. The family raised even more money for the March of Dimes and founded the Yeti Tour, a snowmobile ride and fundraiser, with the intent of helping babies.

Jonas and Elias

Today, Kelly and Nate are parents to two healthy and active sons: Jonas, 9; and Elias, 5. The boys keep their parents busy with scouts, sports and school. The family just returned from a trip to Disney World, which the boys loved.

Jonas and Elias never had the chance to meet their brothers, but Kelly and Nate make sure they know about them. “They’ve never known life without Isaiah and Mason,” Kelly said.

Northland Newborn Foundation

Recently, the March of Dimes decided to focus their energies on the Twin Cities branch, so Kelly and Nate, along with other community activists, have created the Northland Newborn Foundation. All money raised will help babies right here in the Twin Ports. They’ll host their first fundraiser on June 24.

Nominated by her mother-in-law

Kelly was nominated for the Spirit Award by her motherin-law, Christy, who shared: “You might find it unusual that a mother-in-law would think so highly of her daughter-in-law that she would nominate her for this special award. But, if you ever met her, you would know why.

“You can always find Kelly with a smile on her face, busy working on whatever fundraiser Team Alvar has going on. Kelly Kitch Alvar is my son Nathaniel’s bride, and the daughter I always hoped I would have.” D