Currently serving as District 2 Commander, she was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Her parents were Raymond Claude and Mavis Ann Kuehl. She was the fifth child of nine. She graduated from Menomonie Senior High in 1972, graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh (UW-O) with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in secondary education in 1976 and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Specialist in 1980 and received her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 2001.

She entered the Marine Corps in October of 1980 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in April of 1981, retiring as a Major in 2000.  She has served in various locations in the Pacific. Her decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal 2nd award, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation 4th award, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 3rd Award.

She has volunteered in many areas ranging from the 1960s to current day. She is very active in Quilt Philanthropy. 

She has numerous athletic awards.  As well as Climbing Mt Fuji (1985 Fuji Japan), Climbing Diamond Head (1993, 1994, 1995), and Climbing Koko Head (1998).

Her hobbies included: Swimming, Scuba Diving (Certified Dive Master), hiking and mountain climbing, Bicycling, Long distance running, quilting, and webpage programming.