Karen was born on April 29, 1939 to Raymond and Grace (Cummings) Loebbaka in New London, Wisconsin and moved to Sheboygan in 1942. After Karen graduated high school in 1957, she moved to California with her sister Laura. In 1960, Karen was united in marriage to John Kromberg at Holy Name Catholic Church.
Karen and John went on to have four children, Susan, John, James and Robert. In 2010, Karen retired and spent her time with family and friends at yoga, the Red Hat Society and helping out in her church religious education office.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband John on July 5, 2012. She is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, an organization Karen felt strongly about.