Obituary of Joan Maria Basken Schulze

Joan Maria (Basken) SchulzeFebruary 3, 1928 – July 19, 2014Joan, 86, passed away peacefully exactly one month after discovering she had inoperable brain cancer.Joan was born in Union City, NJ to Josef & Emily (O’Farrell) Basken. The oldest of three girls, she is survived by her sisters Elaine Hammer and Emily Russomanno. Joan graduated from St. Josephs HS in Paterson, NJ and went on to nursing school at St Mary’s Hospital where she received her degree as a Registered Nurse. The depth of her medical knowledge made her the go-to resource for health questions both large and small for her family and friends throughout her life. After her career in nursing, Joan returned to school and received her Bachelor’s degree from Linfield College.Joan met the love of her life, Earl Schulze, on a blind date while he was stationed with the army in NJ. They married August 1, 1953 and settled in Portland, OR, then Eugene, OR where they raised their two children Maureen (Hugh) Woodward of Gresham, OR and Don (Susan) of Seattle, WA. Her life revolved around the activities of life with Earl, her children and grandchildren.Interested in many things, Joan was always up for an adventure. She loved travel, gardening, the Oregon Coast, back yard birding and a well told joke. She was an avid enthusiast of the theatre, music, movies, literature and art.Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl, and her Irish mother and German father; she is survived by her children Maureen and Don as well as her grandchildren Kaitlin and Sam Woodward, Emily (Ross Scully) and William Schulze.A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12:15 p.m. August 14 at St Mary Catholic Church. A luncheon reception will be held at the church after Mass. Arrangements entrusted to Poole-Larsen Funeral Home