Kathryn "Joosten" Rausch (December 20, 1939) was an American television actress, best known for her regular role as Karen McCluskey in Desperate Housewives, for which she won two Emmy Awards. She was also known for her recurring role in The West Wing as Dolores Landingham. Kathryn started acting at age 42 in a Chicago community theater; prior to this, Kathryn worked as a psychiatric nurse. Kathryn was diagnosed with lung cancer and after 11 years with the illness, passed away on June 2, 2012; 20 days after her final episode of Desperate Housewives aired on television.