Schulke, Karen, E.

Karen passed away on her 73rd Birthday Dec. 17, 2011 following a lengthy battle with cancer.  She is survived by her husband of 45 years Bob Schulke. They were a loving couple and constant companions for over 50 years.

During Bobs 5 years as an Oakland Tribune reporter/ photographer/re-write man in the l960s and President of the East Bay Press Club from 1969 to 1971, Karen became a popular figure in East Bay media circles.  Her always-sunny personality made her a favorite with my fellow journalists.

Karen is credited by many to have come up with the name “Tower Connection” for the Go-Getters newsletter many years ago when leaders of the “Go-Getters Club” decided to rename the newsletter to better reflect the Club’s growing and diversified membership.  "We both were always very proud of that".

Karen was the first woman chosen to lead the Northern California Grocers Association, a Sacramento-based trade group representing independent grocers and suppliers from Bakersfield to Oregon. She joined the group in 1975 as director of member activities and was named president and chief executive officer in 1986

Submitted by Bob Schulke.