Family-Focused Strength: Kara Stecker and the Hendricks–Stecker Clan

Basic Information

Roots in Wisconsin: A Family Built on Ambition

Kara Stecker’s story begins in Wisconsin, where grit and big dreams are a family language. Her parents, Ken and Diane, co-founded ABC Supply in 1982, nurturing it from a regional distributor into the nation’s largest wholesale supplier of roofing, siding, windows, and gutters. That ascent—nearly 500 branches strong—framed Kara’s upbringing in Janesville: practical, hands-on, and tied to a company that became a byword for scale and resilience.

The Hendricks household was big in both size and spirit. Seven siblings—some from blended branches—formed a latticework of relationships that would carry through weddings, business roles, and new generations. The 2007 death of her father, Ken, at age 66, marked a public and private turning point, but the enterprise he and Diane built continued to grow. Kara’s mother remains a central figure of American entrepreneurship, and that success provides a financial and cultural backdrop to Kara’s life.

Western Illinois to the NFL: A Marriage on the Move

Kara attended Western Illinois University, where she met Aaron Stecker, a running back who would carve an NFL career out of persistence and multi-tool talent. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 1999, Aaron’s path included the Scottish Claymores (NFL Europe MVP and World Bowl MVP in 2000), a Super Bowl XXXVII ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003, impactful years with the New Orleans Saints, and a final NFL season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2009.

Their marriage meant mobility—Tampa, New Orleans, Atlanta—and the controlled chaos of the pro sports calendar. The fall of 2005 brought a defining test: Hurricane Katrina. The Steckers escaped their Destrehan-area home as the storm barreled in, later returning to a community stitched together by recovery. That chapter sharpened their perspective on family and service.

Motherhood and a Rising Voice: Skylar Simone

Kara’s public profile rose chiefly through her daughter, Skylar Simone (born April 24, 2002), whose singing and acting began early and never let up. By age 10, Skylar had performed the national anthem more than 100 times across major venues, serenading fan bases of the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, and Wisconsin Badgers. Acting roles followed—guest appearances on television—and then a stream of music releases. The trajectory includes a 2015 debut album, subsequent No. 1 hits on the Dance Club Songs chart, independent projects like 2019’s Redemption and the 2021 Earth Signs EP, and a brief label stint in 2024–2025.

Behind the scenes, Kara’s role is both mother and navigator—helping insist on preparation, managing the whirlwind of shows and shoots, and steadying the compass as business decisions arose. She has appeared alongside Skylar on TV and in videos, lending warmth and context to the artist’s story. In 2025, Kara’s social posts continued to amplify Skylar’s live performances, a small window into her day-to-day support.

The Hendricks Family Foundation: Philanthropy in Practice

Kara serves as vice president of the Hendricks Family Foundation, a Beloit-based grantmaking organization funded by the family’s business success. The role, publicly listed as non-compensated, reflects the family’s longstanding prioritization of community institutions—healthcare facilities, youth programs, and regional development. In recent years, the foundation’s annual giving measured in the millions, channeling support across the Rock County region and beyond.

This philanthropic throughline has paired with a pattern of hands-on moments: from involvement in youth-oriented events to a broader ethic of humility and service. For Kara, philanthropy is less spotlight than scaffolding—consistent, necessary, and built to last.

Timeline at a Glance

The Extended Family: Names Behind the Narrative

The Hendricks siblings form a constellation around Kara: Kendra Story, Kim Hendricks, Kathy Murray, Kevin Hendricks, Brent Fox, and Konya Schuh. Several siblings have maintained close ties to the family’s enterprises and community efforts, underscoring a shared orientation toward building things—companies, careers, charitable platforms—that endure.

On the Stecker side, Aaron’s Green Bay roots and NFL résumé add a parallel thread of athletic discipline. Their younger child, Dorsett, stays largely out of the spotlight, a choice that mirrors Kara’s own preference for privacy.

Financial Picture: What’s Known and What Isn’t

Public reporting underscores the family’s financial security—the result of ABC Supply’s growth and generational planning—yet Kara’s personal net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Her position suggests stability and access rather than showy signals of wealth. Aaron’s NFL earnings contribute another layer, though his post-playing years indicate a turn toward service and coaching rather than grandstanding. In short: considerable resources, carefully managed, and not the main event.

Media Footprint and Public Appearances

Kara’s media presence has been light and primarily family-oriented. She has appeared on TV alongside Skylar, featured in home-life snippets and performance-day behind-the-scenes posts. YouTube and social clips capture moments—a fridge tour, rehearsal footage, live sessions—that reveal more about routine and relationships than red carpets. In recent seasons, Kara’s social accounts have amplified her daughter’s work while keeping the family’s private rhythms intact.

A Life Drawn to Family, Tuned to Service

There’s a steady cadence to Kara’s story: Wisconsin-born, family-shaped, philanthropy-minded. She has navigated pro sports’ itinerant demands, the intensity of a young artist’s ascent, and the complex inheritance of a business empire built store by store since 1982. Through it all, she has chosen a supporting role. The spotlight grazes her shoulder, but her gaze points toward the field, the stage, the community—the places where her people are.

FAQ

Who is Kara Stecker?

She is the Wisconsin-born daughter of Ken and Diane Hendricks, wife of former NFL player Aaron Stecker, and mother of singer Skylar Simone.

What is she most known for?

She is best known for her family roles—supporting her daughter’s music career and being part of the Hendricks business family.

Did Kara have a public-facing career?

Beyond foundation work and occasional TV appearances, there’s no record of a standalone public career.

Is Kara involved in philanthropy?

Yes, she serves as vice president of the Hendricks Family Foundation, a grantmaking nonprofit.

How did Hurricane Katrina affect the family?

They evacuated from the New Orleans area in 2005, returning to a community deeply affected and reshaped by the storm.

What teams did Aaron Stecker play for?

He played for the Buccaneers, Saints, and Falcons, with earlier time in NFL Europe; he won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.

What are highlights of Skylar Simone’s career?

Early national anthem performances, TV appearances, chart-topping dance tracks, and independent releases mark her trajectory.

Is Kara’s personal net worth public?

No, specific figures are not publicly available, though her family ties indicate substantial financial security.