LIKING WHAT YOU DO IS HAPPINESS

Karen is a remarkable woman.  She has been gifted with curiosity, drive, and a desire to learn about people and help them.  She was born and  grew up in Wisconsin, and even as a child was curious about people’s homes and what was in them.  That curiosity developed into a successful career as a realtor years later.

After graduating from high school, Karen needed to earn money for college. She started a job as a clerk typist, and on weekends worked at a men’s clothing store. When she turned eighteen, she won a dance contest and someone offered her a job as a Go-Go girl for $10.00 per 4-hour night to dance in a cage. This was twice the minimum wage of $1.25 per hour that she earned as a clerk typist, so she gave it a try.  Within two years she was earning $350.00 a week.

She met Bill, her future husband, shortly before he joined the Marines and was sent to Hawaii.  She followed him and remained there while Bill served a term in Vietnam. When Bill returned, they moved to Milwaukee, got married and he got a degree in photography.   In 1972, they moved to Ontario, California and were among the pioneers in the waterbed industry, manufacturing the frames and furniture.  In 1982, they branched out to computer furniture, and two years later began to make redwood skirting for the portable spa industry.  However, they started to feel guilty whenever a load of pine or redwood was delivered; they felt responsible for destroying a forest.

In 1989, after much thought, they decided to sell their home and shop, experiencing a very lucrative return on their investment.  They moved up to Oregon and purchased a modest home on ten beautiful acres of forest land just outside the small town of Rogue River.  They worked very hard to help make their home a healthy place to live, enjoying their new surroundings. But, Karen was too young to retire – too much energy.

It wasn’t long before Karen was involved as a dedicated volunteer.  She became the Arbor Day chairman for Rogue River, and was in charge of the “Caps for Kids” program, where local knitters produce over 500 hats yearly, and invited children to the Civic Club to choose their own hat.

In recent years, the Caps for Kids Give-Away in Rogue River has donated approximately 1000 knitted caps a year. Before long, Karen was involved in many clubs in town, and also visits the Rogue River Middle School and teaches classes on life choices and entrepreneurism through the Junior Achievement program.

In 1998, she realized a dream she had since childhood - She went back to school to earn her real estate license.  The day she received notice she’d passed the state exam she literally danced in the street. She has been active both in selling real estate and in property management of more than 25 homes.  She loves her job, as she loves helping people fulfill their dreams. In her own words, Karen says, “I feel I have the best job in the world.  It’s not rocket science, but it is challenging.  It’s also fun, exciting, and heartwarming.  And it’s very rewarding.  One of the best rewards of all is when a satisfied buyer or seller recommends a friend or loved one to me - it tells me that they were not only pleased with the work I did for them, but that they are sending their friends to someone they trust.  Can life get any better than that?”

I’d say that Karen is one happy fulfilled woman, and I love her motto:

“Liking what you do is happiness
Doing what you love is freedom”

Helen L. Price