Karen was born and raised in St. Paul. Her father passed away when she was 2 years old in a work accident while building the Alaskan pipeline, leaving her mother to raise 3 young children on her own. Karen graduated from Harding High School along with her two brothers. Karen married Alfred Schindeldecker in 1965, and they were married for 38 years until his passing in 2003. She worked various jobs after high school including a year as a car hop at Jerry's Restaurant, a year at Woolworths, and 7 years at Snyder's. When marriage and daughter Lori came around, she found the perfect part time job as a cashier with Applebaums. Karen spent 14 years there until she could not stand up due to a back injury. She then worked for over 21 years for the State of Minnesota in various clerical positions in the taxation, economic security, no fault, film labeling, mail desk, and retired from the Public Safety Department in 2004. She spent countless hours volunteering at Church where she counted money, was a greeter, and assisted with funerals. She also helped at women consortiums, the clothes closet, nursing homes, oncology, come as-u-r, and crocheting for the underprivileged. Karen enjoyed gardening, and was especially proud of her sewing abilities. She was very attached to many pets through her life, especially Twinkles, Snoopy, and later on adopting her grand-dog, Roli. Karen enjoyed her many friends throughout her life and especially loved the card parties and lunch dates. Karen was proud of her two grandchildren and loved spending time at their many activities between band concerts, parades, 5K runs, soccer, and hockey games. She was diagnosed over 8 years ago with Myelodysplasia, and was told she had a 4 year life expectancy. Six months ago she was told it was full blown Leukemia and was sent home on hospice where she was given maybe a week. Well she was a fighter to the end and showed both prognoses wrong. Karen would like to thank the many great nurses, doctors and hospice helpers that helped her along her journey. And special thanks to brother-in-law Richard, who helped her through all of her treatment and life the past ten years.