Karen's LaSalle activities included Readers Theatre, Year Book (4 years), Speech (4 years), and Student Council (3 years). As a junior she served as Vice President of the Student Council and as a senior, President of the Student Council. She represented the school and district at the Wm. Randolph Hearst Senate Program (national award) and was awarded many speech trophies. Karen attended Clarke College in Dubuque from 1976-1978 and was also Class President. She received her B.A. in Political Science in 1980 from the Univ. of lowa, and obtained her degree from the Univ. of lowa College of Law in May of 1983, by being admitted to the lowa Bar in June, 1983. She is currently associated in practice with the firm of Ackley, Kopecky & Kingery. She is Past President of the Linn County Association of Women Attorneys and the Linn County Law Club, Past Vice President of the Linn County Bar Association, a member of the Board of Directors of Linn County Advocate and a member of the Board of Directors of the Area Substance Abuse Council. Karen presently serves as president of the LaSalle High School Alumni Association.