Schambow, Karen Sonja

Karen Sonja Schambow, age 87, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024. She was born in Madison on March 15, 1937, daughter of Nathan and Irma (Fett) Nelson. She grew up in both the Madison and Montfort areas, attending school at Montfort and graduating from Madison West High School. She went on to attend college in Platteville, studying music where she was an accomplished trombone and piano musician. She married her husband Richard on August 16, 1958 at the United Methodist Church in Montfort. Karen and Richard lived in various towns across the state, eventually settling in Montfort, joining her father’s business, Nelson Ice Cream company where she worked for many years. They purchased Karen’s grandparent’s family farm where her love for animals blossomed, especially for her horses and of course her many cats. She was a wonderful gardener, producing bountiful vegetables for canning and beautiful flower gardens. Karen continued her passion for teaching music, providing piano and guitar lessons for hundreds of students over the span of 40 years. She served as the Sunday school superintendent and church organist for many years at the Castle Rock Lutheran church. She continued to share her organ and piano skills, playing for countless weddings and funerals throughout her career and accompanying students at district and state solo and ensemble contests. While she and Richard raised their five children in the Montfort area, she continued to help support the family, working at the Cobb Canning Factory and Lands End. She also served as the Wingville Township Treasurer for many years. Throughout all her years, she was a wonderful cook and baker, treating the Montfort Elementary school staff to her famous sweet rolls at Christmas time and was skilled at knitting and crocheting. She enjoyed every holiday and loved to decorate the house for each and every one, inside and out, especially Halloween, often playing spooky board games with her children and grandchildren. After selling the family farm, Karen and Richard relocated to the Evansville area, continuing to raise horses and sheep. They joined the Zion Lutheran Church where Karen started and directed the church choir.

Karen is survived by her husband Richard Sr.; five children, Jill (Tom) VanVeldhuizen, Richard Jr. (Judy) Schambow, Eric Schambow, Marc (Mary) Schambow and David (Ryan Slot) Schambow; six grandchildren, Bryan (Allie) VanVeldhuizen, Kristen (Bobby) Varian, Tom (Joe Helms) Schambow, Rachel (David Kasper) Schambow, Anna and Luke Schambow, as well as two great-grandchildren, Kai and Raya VanVeldhuizen. Karen is also survived by one brother, Jim Nelson. She was preceded in death by her brother Jack (Suzie) Nelson.

Services will be held at the Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home in Evansville with visitation starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 18 and the funeral service starting at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for a memorial that will be determined later by the family. Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.wardhurtley.com.