Assisting Elder

Born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, Karen was a member of Mizpah United Church of Christ.  She received her undergraduate degree from St. Cloud University, and, after working for five years as the Director of Camping and Outdoor Education for Minneapolis Camp Fire (formally Campfire Girls), she responded to her call to ministry and attended Lancaster Theological Seminary.  There she met a fine man named Stevan Atanasoff, whom she would marry. 

In order to better understand the polity of her future husband’s church, she took United Methodist Doctrine and Polity.  With the encouragement of her Doctrine and Polity professor, Rev. Dr. Paul Stambach, she chose to join the United Methodist Church. 

In 1983 Karen and Stevan were married.  Since then, she served in State College (where her son, Andrew, and daughter, Amber were born) for 15 years in the Halfmoon Charge, Julian-Martha Charge and Axemann-Weaver Charge.  She also served in the Lewisburg District at Town Hill Church; in the Williamsport District at Pine Street; and in the Harrisburg District at Millersburg 1st and Hershey. 

Andrew is now married, and he and his wife Kate, both Majors in the United States Airforce,  are enjoying being the parents of their son, Asa.    Amber and her husband Matt live in Camp Hill with Karlyn – Karen’s and Steve’s first grandchild.

Karen’s joys are family, friends, reading, movies, plays, singing, travel, and missions.  Karen is enjoying being retired and serving in her role as Assisting Elder.  

Together, let us serve our Lord.