Karen Kenter/Blumberg Karen Kenter/Blumberg, beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, left this world on April 12, 2006 to begin doing her part in creating the Next World only moments later. A fighter her entire life, Karen made it very clear she did not want her obituary to read "she fought a courageous battle with cancer". Instead, Karen left this world with acceptance, with dignity and with grace. Born May 27, 1951 to Alex and Ruth Kenter, Karen was raised in Rock Island, Illinois. She began working at the age of 14 and acquired the strong work ethic she held throughout her life. The family relocated to Dallas, TX in 1967 and Karen graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1969. After rummaging through a smorgasbord of colleges, Karen finally decided on the University of Texas, made Austin her home, and earned her BA in Philosophy and English. Karen will always be remembered as one of Austin's premier stand-up poets, performing regularly at The Chicago House while booking acts for another Austin relic, The Comedy Workshop, as well as founding Austin's Finest Resume and Writing Services. She was one of Austin's finest liberal activists, organizing and marching in countless protests throughout this city (remember Weaver vs. The Chronicle ?), always championing the underdog, always giving a voice to the unheard and always standing firm beside the downtrodden. It wasn't until a little later on in life that Karen realized her life's mission: advocating against hunger. After a move to Sioux City, Iowa with her husband Eric Blumberg, Karen took the position of Executive Director of the Siouxland Foodbank. In her words, "This is why I was put here. To feed people. To nurse the needy. To break the cycle of poverty and do my part in righting this world." Karen was passionate in everything she did. Whether it be her political and social activism, or as a single mother, raising two very loving and aware daughters - she always said she couldn't afford to raise two kids and so instead, she had to raise two best friends. Although she knew she wouldn't be here to vote in the November gubernatorial elections, Karen was proud to be the fourth person to sign the Kinky Friedman petition on the Capitol steps that midnight in March, saying, "this is one last time my name will truly count." It gave her family such joy to witness Karen putting her voice in ink that one last time. Karen loved gardening. She loved Joan Baez, Donovan and the Kerrville Folk Fest. She loved the concerts at Auditorium Shores, Jungle Ball at Pease Park, Sundays spent in a good friend's backyard. Karen's favorite book was The Giving Tree and her favorite prayer, the Ve'Ahavta. She loved the people of Sioux City and "Saturdays in the Park". Karen loved the artist Maxfield Parrish and she loved the written word. She loved her family and her friends. When Karen loved, she loved big, just as she lived big. Karen loved life and radiated with it. Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Ruth Kenter; Aunt Evelyn Katz; her beloved uncle, Samuel Lyon; and, her beloved pup, Sadie Mae, all of blessed memory. Karen is survived in death by her devoted husband of 14 years, Eric Blumberg; loving daughters, Rachel Tompkins and Zarah Kenter; a step-daughter whom she loved as her own, Nicole Blumberg of Ventura, California; son-in-law, Adam Tompkins; and her dearest four-legged companions, J'amoke and Mocha Jay; Uncle Joe Kenter and Aunt Shirley Lyon; siblings, Michael Kenter and wife, Judy; Pamela (Sis) Feldman and husband, Marvin; Jone Burkee and husband Bill; Benjamin Kenter and wife Lisa; Mother-in-law, Patricia Bright Blumberg; Stepmother, Mildred Kenter; and Sibling-in-Laws, Tom Presley and wife Mary, Karen Haacke, Robert Blumberg and wife Linda, Amy Kazan, and many cousins, nephews and nieces. Karen will be greatly missed by her numerous friends scattered throughout the country as well as those whom considered her "Mom2", Hillary Wayne, Nils Lundqvist and Nathan Hager. Karen will live on as an inspiration to many and may her memory be a blessing. "Where are all the poets?" She wrote in 1987. The poets, Dearest Karen, are busy creating the Next World. (A world free of hunger and free of George W. Bush) A Memorial Service will be held on Friday April 14th at 1pm at Congregation Beth Israel 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the following organizations in Karen's name: Safe Place, Hospice Austin and the Food Bank of Siouxland. For contact information: [email protected] The family would like to thank: the amazing team at the Texas Oncology Center, most especially, Dr. John Sandbach, Dr. Carl Nuesch and Sara Roberts; Seton Hospital (7th Floor); Hospice Austin (Alice Jefferson you are wonderful), Dr. Robert Mitchell and Mary Malone, NAMI Austin, Austin Travis County MHMR, the Iguana Grill, and Dr. Mark Moskowitz for your support and your compassion, we thank you, whole-heartedly.

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Apr. 13, 2006.