Obituary of Karen M. Schlegel

Karen M Schlegel, age 101, died Tuesday, November 8, at her home in Fanwood, New Jersey. Karen was the grand daughter of Norwegian pioneers who settled in the Dakota Territories. She grew up in Grand Forks, N.D. After achieving a BS degree at The University of North Dakota, Karen won a a full scholarship to The Juilliard School of Music for her beautiful contralto voice, studying with the famed Marcella Sembrich. She enjoyed a singing career in NYC under the name of Karen Olson. One of her notable performances was in Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Snow Maiden" conducted by Serge Koussevitzky. Karen was the eldest and last surviving child of five children: Clifford Olson, owner of Olson Feed and Seed in Grand Forks, Dr. Stewart Olson, MD, Des Moines, Dr. Phillip Olson, MD, Minneapolis, and Ann Louise Olson, renowned home economist in Who's Who of American Women. Karen married Robert Southwell, a stockbroker, and is survived by her two children, Margaret, a singer and artist, from NJ, and Leif , an accountant from Colorado, and her two grandchildren Ryan and Andrea from Colorado. Karen later married George Schlegel. Karen taught music in the Basking Ridge School system for 20 years. After retiring she enjoyed giving private voice lessons , exacting excellence from her pupils. As an animal lover , it is Karen's wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to : Rawhide Rescue 16 Mount Bethel Rd Box 360 Warren, NJ, 07059