Karen came to the Animas Valley in 1980 and went to work for Phelps Dodge where she worked for seven years. In 1989 she started working for the Animas Schools. She has held different jobs since she started, including First Grade Instructional Assistant, Kindergarten Instructional Assistant, Josten's Computer Lab Assistant, Mid-school/Special Education secretary, and her current job as, Administrative Assistant. Karen and her husband Mondie have six children, all of whom are grown.