M Club Hy Popuch Memorial Service Award

Karen M. Jahimiak, D.D.S., Dental Hy ’75, Dent ’86
La Crosse, Wis./Estero, Fla.

Karen Jahimiak, D.D.S., is not one to sit around. Although she is retired from dentistry, she maintains an active and philanthropic life, serving her communities as a leader in both Florida and Wisconsin.

During her dental career, Karen exemplified the Jesuit ideal of servant-leadership, running a successful practice while serving as mentor to the next generation of dentists, including her nephew, who took over her practice when she retired. Karen actively worked with her staff to serve their patients and the Waukesha community, as well as the larger Wisconsin community.

Karen shared her expertise with students at the Marquette School of Dentistry by serving as a part-time faculty member for 15 years. Professionally, she served as a member of the Wisconsin Dental Examining Board and as an examiner for the Central Regional Dental Testing Service for 20 years. Karen also served as an officer for Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society, and as a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities.

Karen currently lives in Florida eight months of the year, continuing her service as president of her community HOA, captain of her pickleball team, and as a member of the golf and tournament committees.

She treasures her memories with the Marquette athletes, fondly recalling traveling with the women’s basketball team to St. Thomas for the Paradise Jam, and she continues to serve Marquette student-athletes through her endowed scholarship for women’s basketball players.

Fun Facts:

Name someone (past or present) with whom you'd like to have dinner.
That would be my parents, Dr. Raymond, Dent ’52, and Lauretta Jahimiak.

Name a Marquette faculty or staff member who had an impact on you, and how.
I had many faculty who had a huge impact on my professional life. Way too many to list. Terri Mitchell, former Women’s Basketball head coach, had a big impact on my personal and philanthropic life. I first met her playing golf in Putt for the Eagles; that led to a title sponsorship for Tee it Up for Hoops and then my endowment scholarship for women’s basketball. I am honored to call her a friend.

Leave a congratulatory message for Karen!