Karen Boettcher was born in Connecticut and educated in East Hartford public schools. After graduating from high school, she went to the University of NH. She was married just before senior year to William Boettcher. After graduating with a BA in elementary education she moved to Germany and subbed for a US Army dependent school. Upon her return to NH she worked as a teacher in Goffstown and then Manchester, NH, retiring in 2001.

She moved to Palm Springs and shortly thereafter became a director for Palm Springs Concerts. She's also a member of Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority. She volunteered at the tennis tournament for 14 years and the Bob Hope Classic for several years.

Karen loves to travel with her husband, especially to North Carolina to see her grandchildren.