Karen, age 65, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on September 16, 2016, at her home in Sequim with her family and very close friend, Jim, by her side. Karen was born in Culver City, California to Henry & Lena Rosenberger on October 10, 1950.

Karen graduated with High Honors from Eastmont High School in 1969. She lettered in her favorite sport, tennis. Moving on to Western Washington State College, she received a degree in education.

Karen decided not to pursue teaching, rather taking a civil service position in 1972 with the US Air Force Plant Representative Office (AFPRO) at Boeing Plant 2, Seattle. She began as a Procurement Clerk with the Minuteman Missile Program. She subsequently completed training and received her warrant as an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO). Karen was ACO for the Minuteman program for a short time and in 1984 she became ACO for the E-3 Sentry, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). She was responsible for administering the US Government contracts for the USAF, NATO, Saudi and Japanese AWACS programs. As the US Government representative, Karen accepted delivery of each E-3 aircraft from The Boeing Company. During her time in this position, she was awarded numerous awards and citations for her work performance. Karen frequently travelled internationally representing the US Air Force. The AFPRO later became part of the Defense Contract Management Agency, from which Karen retired on October 4, 2002.

During her time at the Boeing facility, Karen met and married Lt. Col. Jack Pierson (USAF/Retired), who was also working at the Boeing plant.

After retirement she and Jack moved to the Sequim area, building their retirement place on 20 acres of land up on Blue Mountain. After Jack’s untimely death, Karen sold the house and moved down the mountain to her new home in Sequim. Oh, how she loved her new home. She made many trips over the mountains back to Quincy, WA to see her family. We always looked forward to spending time with Karen. Karen was a huge supporter of many local events and artists in the Sequim area.

Karen was a DIEHARD 12 SEAHAWK FAN, attending home games with her long-time friend, Jim Doherty. They attended Super Bowl XLIX and that result really upset her. She always flew a Seahawks flag at her home during the season. She loved watching her beloved Hawks, especially Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Russell Wilson. The Hawks have lost a True Fan.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Henry & Lena Rosenberger, her husband Jack H. Pierson, her brother Jim Rosenberger of Rock Island, her niece Gwen Taylor and nephew Mark Rosenberger of Quincy.

She is survived by her sister Margy, Wenatchee; brother Ken, Wenatchee; sister-in-law Marilyn, Wenatchee; brother Gene and wife Rhonda, Quincy; nephew Corey and wife Taran, Quincy; niece Susie and husband Bob, Covington; nephew Michael and wife Stephanie, Salmon, Idaho; step-son Barclay Pierson and wife Lorri, Renton; step -son Graham Pierson and wife Belen, Virginia; great-nephews and nieces Ben and Cameron Williams; Zack, Moses and Titus Taylor; Hunter and Ashlyn Rosenberger; Caitlyn and Chase Schuler; Rachel and Stecker Pierson and Briana Pierson.

Plans for celebrating Karen’s life will be announced at a later date.
Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook www.scharbachs.com
Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy,WA. will be assisting the family with arrangements.