Karen joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard the summer of her senior year in High School to enlist as a member of the Services flight for the 115th. She was stationed in Madison, at Truax Field, from 1983-2009, retiring with 26 years of service as an E7. 

Her VFW eligibility comes from activation to the Air Force during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 serving at Prince Sultan AF Base, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 at an undisclosed location in Oman. She earned the AF Meritorious Service Medal for her management abilities to run Services: Billeting, Laundry, Food, Recreation, Theatre and Sports when the command team was transitioned out of Oman.  

She joined the Lowell VFW Post 9392 in 2006 and has served the various command positions for multiple terms.  She was elected to District 2 Commander in 2022. She currently lives in Columbus, WI. She works for the State of Wisconsin DOR in Lottery.