Carol-Anne Thomas Clausen

Carol-Anne Thomas Clausen, 94, died December 30, 2024. She was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on September 9, 1930. Carol-Anne began piano lessons at four years old at Lawrence Conservatory of Music, Appleton, Wisconsin. Prior to that she spent a term in rhythm class only, no playing. In fifth grade she started playing the piano for the church Sunday school. In high school she was the accompanist to the band and orchestra students. At the ages of sixteen and seventeen years old, she studied piano at Chicago Musical College. Upon graduating from high school in Neenah, Wisconsin, she entered Oberlin Conservatory of Music where she studied piano pedagogy and violin. The next year she attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska where she studied piano, organ and theory. Carol then enrolled in the New England Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts studying piano pedagogy, theory, and organ. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Music in piano and organ performance and a Master of Applied Music in organ performance, theory and history from Western Michigan University.

She taught public school music K-8 in Colchester, Vermont. She served as music supervisor K-12 in Salamanca, New York. She was a private instructor in organ and piano and a theory tutor for college age and older adults. She taught Music Appreciation and Music Theory at Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, for twenty-two years. 

She served as Choir Master and Organist for churches in New York, Connecticut and Michigan, including First Congregational Church in South Haven for fourteen years, and as the Director of Music and Organist at First English Lutheran Church (Peace Lutheran Church) in South Haven for thirty-six years.

In 1982, Carol was awarded an Associate’s Degree by the American Guild of Organists for her musical ability. She was the first person in Michigan to receive this award and only the fourteenth person nationally. Carol has given many concerts, area recitals, and has been a featured soloist with the Elkhart Chamber Orchestra, Elkhart, Indiana.

She was a member of the National Honor Music Society Pi Kappa Lambda, an Associate Member of the American Guild of Organists, past dean of the Southwest Michigan Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and a member of the South Haven Yacht Club for fifty-three years.

Carol-Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, of seventy years. She is survived by her two daughters and three sons, and their families.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church in South Haven, Michigan with Kirsten C. Kimball and Pastor Stephanie Norton officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to New England Conservatory, Office of Advancement & Engagement, 290 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115.