TOWER- A memorial celebration is planned for the late Carol Alstrom on Saturday, March 25 at the Tower-Soudan School. Alstrom spent her entire teaching career at Tower-Soudan, and was a mentor, coach, teacher, and friend to the community even after she retired from teaching and coaching. A memorial will be unveiled at 1 p.m., with a celebration of life at the school gym from 2 – 4 p.m.
“The idea for a celebration came to fruition because Susan Alstrom knew it was important to honor her sister’s wish to have a party, not a funeral,” said former Tower-Soudan student Sarah Christmas. 
Christmas said Coach Alstrom inspired her to “dream big,” and was a big factor in her success in track and field, including making it to the Olympic Trials.
“She helped this girl dream big,” she said. “She really cared about all of us.”
Alstrom didn’t just care about her most talented athletes, but cared deeply about almost all her students, especially those who worked hard at mastering new skills. She was a firm believer in “life sports;” teaching not just team sports but fitness skills that could be used throughout adulthood. She often became lifelong friends with her students after they graduated from high school, as well as making many friends in the community.
A group of former students discussed the idea of a permanent memorial, and they settled on the idea of a love lock post, which they had seen in other areas. The 10-foot-tall love lock post with a granite “under foot” memorial marker will be placed on the grounds of the former Tower-Soudan High School.  The metal “love-lock” marker is being created at Lamppa Manufacturing in Tower.
Friends and family of Carol Alstrom, along with community members, will be invited to place a padlock on the post. The project has gotten the go-ahead from the city and school district.
To support the Love Lock Memorial Project, a GoFundMe has been set up for contributions at https://gofund.me/7c475725.
Check donations can also be made to:
CB&S Bank
c/o the Celebrate Carol Alstrom Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 910, Russellville, Ala. 35653
For more information visit: 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/celebratingcoacha/.