Karen (Karkau) Schmidt

After graduating from Davis High in 1970, I attended the UW until graduating in June 1974. I lived in McCarty Hall (dorm) most of the time, and changed majors a few times...starting out a Math major (until I got to calculus), passing through Recreation and Spanish, and ending up with a BA in Anthropology. I was a proud piccolo-and-flute-playing member of the Husky Marching Band and Concert Band during all four years under then-band-director Bill Bissell.

I got married in Yakima right after graduation from the UW, primarily because of my father's terminal illness at that time (ALS). My first husband was from the Seldens' Furniture family in Tacoma and rowed on the Husky lightweight crew. After putting him through grad school he got his PhD in Pathology, and we eventually parted ways when he moved to Baltimore to do his post-doctorate program at Johns Hopkins.

I had an interesting several-year career as a vintage clothing store co-owner, "Fritzi Ritz", in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood and later we moved downtown into the Pike Place Market. After many years buying and selling 1920's - 1950's clothing (and cruising the thrift stores and flea markets), I eventually left self-employment to pursue a more mainstream career in the Advertising and Accounting Departments at Nordstrom.

I was married again to James Schmidt, a self-employed hairdresser, and we have one fine son born in 1990, Peter Schmidt, who just turned 20. Peter's many activities in addition to school and homework have always kept me busy: chess lessons and tournaments, soccer team, karate, band at school, private clarinet and saxophone lessons, and fabulous Burton Music Camp in the summer.

I bought a home in the University District in Seattle when I was in the vintage clothing business, where my husband and I still live, with one cat at the moment. Over the intervening years I have been active in a monthly book group of ten women, and have been taking private chess lessons for the last couple years to improve my game. While my game is improving, I am no match yet for Bobby Fischer or Gary Kasparov.

James and I have enjoyed being long time members of the Northwest Fly Anglers fly-fishing club; James and Peter and I all enjoyed many great trips involving camping, fly-casting and fly-fishing in several states and BC.

Five years ago in 2005 I left Nordstrom to work for the UW, in Grant and Contract Accounting. Closer to home, and possibly a more worthwhile career than helping the Nordstroms count their money! My sister Kathy Karkau VerValin lives in Tacoma with her husband Mike and several animals on a semi-farm, and drives a school bus. Her daughter, my niece Anna, is launched and working and independent. Kathy may come to the Davis reunion this summer with me. I am looking forward to seeing all of you again and re-connecting with classmates and teachers. Have a great year until then.

Update:

5/15/15

Since graduating from Davis in 1970, I have attended the UW, graduating in 1974 in Anthroplogy. I co-owned a small business in Seattle for several years, “Fritzi Ritz Vintage Clothing”. First we were located in Fremont, and then relocated to the Pike Place Market for several years.

In 1986 I stopped being self-employed and went to work as an accountant for Nordstrom in their downtown Corporate Accounting department. I was married in 1986, and have one son who is now 25. He is living in Tacoma, working part time and attending Tacoma Community College.

After “retiring” from Nordstrom in 2006, I went to work at the UW where I still work full-time in Grant and Contract Accounting. I live in the University District so work is near home.

In my free time I enjoy belonging to a book group for over 25 years – we meet monthly to discuss a book, and I would say reading is one of my life passions. (Thank you to my mother and to Miss Tonnemaker, 3^rd grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School in Yakima!)

I also enjoying antiquing and collect vintage Bauer pottery, bakelite jewelry, and antique post cards. My other hobby is playing chess, occasionally in tournaments.

I have tons of fond memories of Davis High and Yakima, and am really looking forward to seeing everyone in July at the park!

Karen (Karkau) Schmidt