About the Author
About The Author
KarenK Publishing
Born in Clintonville, WI, and raised in Loyal, WI, Kris Knack Noeldner grew up where the freedom and innocence of midwestern, small-town living during the 1950s thrived. Being the first-born to Milton J. Knack and Joan (daughter of Leo Meyer) Knack, she grew up with strong family values, which were shared by the people she grew up around–her wonderful and caring neighbors, teachers, and friends.
She discovered at an early age her love of art and music, as well as travel, nurtured by her parents – her mother being a musician and music-lover, and her father being an artist personally and professionally. Both her parents loved to travel and regularly took their young family on travel adventures throughout the US. This is how Kris first developed her love of travel. Kris’ mother had a deep devotion to community service and used her strong business and communication skills that she developed through her professional career, to serve her community. Her father, as an artist and businessman, had a strong compassion for helping his fellow man and was also involved in serving his community. Through their efforts, Kris learned the importance of helping others, which cultivated her interest in producing self-help books.
Kris was very successful as a young musician, and after graduating from Loyal High School in 1970, she received her bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Despite her accomplishments, Kris struggled with anxiety and stress throughout her teens and much of her adult life. Through her personal journey in finding success in overcoming this and her interest in sharing what she discovered with others, one of her first books was created.
Her interest in travel was further enriched through her college years when she spent a month in Spain studying music and touring throughout Spain, England, Italy, and France. Later she spent a summer in Switzerland attending the Institute of Advanced Musical Study and performing with the UWGB Symphonic Band in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Romania.
Kris did post-graduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, continuing to study clarinet performance under Glenn Bowen and music theory & composition under Dr. Bruce Benward. She continued to play clarinet, sax, piano, and guitar throughout the 1970s and 80s, performing with numerous jazz bands, dance bands, and concert bands in Madison, WI. Later, Kris was part of a trio made up of 2 violins and clarinet, performing Kris’ compositions for weddings, anniversaries, and church celebrations.
Kris put her performing life on hold at various periods throughout her adult life as she continued to pursue her career in the music publishing industry as an administration manager. In October 2010, Kris was honored by Cambridge’s Who’s Who for her work in that field. After retiring in 2016, Kris picked up music performing once again and continues to participate in bands and ensembles in several music genres, including classical, jazz, and rock.
In 2019 she formed KarenK Publishing with the intentions of producing books in the fields that interests her the most – travel, self-help, and music. Her 1st book “Lower Wisconsin River & Wisconsin Driftless Area,” is a see-do-eat travel guide to the area she has lived in for the past 35 years.
She followed it with a self-help book about her journey overcoming her anxiety. In addition to being a musician, Kris is an animal lover and has had dogs, horses, and cats at various times in her life, being a long-time owner of cats. Now retired she lives in a wooded area in the countryside with her life-long husband, Edward.
While attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, my music-composition professor encouraged me to continue composing music. This sparked a new creative path for me.
College also gave me the opportunity for more extensive travel and reinforced my love for it. It widened my appreciation of different cultures and broadened my perspectives.
I was blessed with loving, caring parents who strongly influenced and grounded me. My mother had a successful career and dedicated a great deal of her time to educational endeavors. She generously donated her free time and energy to community service. My father is a talented artist and businessman with a generous heart and a deep sense of compassion for others. He, too, devoted time to his community. They both inspired me in countless ways.
I was also fortunate to have had a number of teachers who not only devoted their time to teaching, but also encouraging, guiding, and inspiring me in immeasurable ways. A good teacher is a true gift. Many became my friends.
Outside of music, I have a deep love for animals and nature. I truly care about environmental protection and supporting the humane treatment of all living beings.
Today I live in the quiet countryside, surrounded by trees and wildlife, enjoying life with my wonderful husband of over 50 years. I am grateful every day for the path on which music has taken me, and the people it has brought into my life. They have opened my heart and my mind to all that has helped me on my journey. It has taken me places and lifted my spirit to see the possibilities before us all.
The order and power of light and darkness are not equal. For light is diffused and penetrates to the deepest darkness. But darkness does not reach to the purest regions of light. Thus light comprehends darkness, overcomes and conquers it, throughout infinity. --Giodano Bruno
About Us
For me, storytelling and music have always been the rhythm of life, both have the power to inspire, heal, and connect. After spending over 40 years in the music publishing industry, including 30 years as an administrative manager, I learned how creativity and business come together to bring meaningful works to the world. My dedication was recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for Excellence in Operations Management, but my greatest fulfillment has always come from helping creative voices find their audience.
KarenK Publishing is a continuation of that passion, but with an even deeper purpose. This publishing house was created in honor of my beloved sister, Karen, a tribute to the lasting impact one life can have. While this isn’t a memorial, her spirit lives on through the stories we publish. Whether capturing personal journeys, hometown nostalgia, or guiding readers toward growth, our books are meant to preserve, inspire, and empower.
Now, in retirement, I continue to embrace creativity in all forms. I play saxophone in jazz and rock bands, clarinet in classical ensembles, and compose music that blends emotion with depth. Beyond music and publishing, I find joy in nature, staying active, and surrounding myself with the things that bring harmony to life. Through KarenK Publishing, I remain dedicated to the printed word because like music words have the power to resonate long after the final note or the last page is turned.
