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Karin and I met in kindergarten and quickly became best friends. We spent a lot of time at each other’s homes as we were growing up, but her home was way more fun. I watched them feed a mouse to a boa constrictor in their bathtub, ate Swedish pancakes, was in their car while they encouraged their father to spin donuts on the icy road (which he did), got the nickname “skinny Yinny” (Swedish accent of her father). She wore ski pants and clogs. Seemed everything about her was different than what I was used to. In 6th grade she convinced me to get on the handlebars of her bike without brakes, and we coasted down a hill and crashed. I did a face plant on the pavement, needed a few stitches and got a concussion. Had to miss some school for that one. The family introduced me to the books “The Chronicles of Narnia” by CS Lewis which I’ve read multiple times. They had a great influence on me becoming a Christian for which I am forever grateful.
I think it was the summer after eighth grade that she spent a week with my family in Ocean City and then went off to Sweden for the summer with her family. Got a letter later saying that they weren’t coming back. Her parents were divorcing. She and her siblings went to boarding school in Switzerland (where Karin and friends sawed the bars off the window to sneak out) and then moved with her father to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We kept in touch pretty regularly. They returned to the states after a few years , and Karin and Kristina graduated from Churchill. We lost touch until right before the 40th reunion. Such a joy to reconnect and reminisce. Visited her a couple times at her home in Florida, met her husband, Paul, and Marley the dog. Called her for her birthday on June 25th and her phone was disconnected, so called her husband and found out that she had passed away quietly and unexpectedly on the 6th of June, sitting outside in her favorite chair looking out over the lake.
Karin was one of the most interesting people I have ever met, full of fire and adventure and life. She was not a stay within the lines kind of person which made life very interesting for her and for those around her. I am blessed to have known her and to have such lively memories because of her.
She is survived by her husband Paul Stahl, her son Erik Lyon and her siblings Kristina, Ingrid and Anders.
submitted by Ginny Galliher (Nelson)
Date Of Birth: 6-25-1952
Date Deceased: 6-6-2021
Age at Death: 68
Cause of Death: Possible heart attack
Classmate City: Palm City
Classmate State: FL
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: No
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Debra Hovland (Clark)
I am very saddened by the loss of Karin. I cannot imagine what Tina must be feeling. I lived behind Karin and Tina in Potomac, and as Ginny said, loved going to their home. I can remember their brilliant Mom sitting on the porch combing their sheepdog and their handsome Dad's fancy cars. We snuck into their Nanny's apartment above the garage a few times and thought we would get in sooo much trouble if caught. Karin introduced herself to me on the bus, driven, seriously, by Mr. Driver, as Karin Hagelin, like "the CAR goes IN the garage. I never called her Karen, ever. We missed them when they left for Sweden and SA and we were so happy when they moved back. I think their horse was Lord Snowden. We all had fun in the winter on the roads with our horses. In any event, Karin coming to the 40th, just to hang out at the hotel in the afternoon and not attending the evening affair was very special. I loved catching up with her. My best to her family and Tina, Ingrid and Anders. - Debbie aka Hovie
Mary La Spada
I knew Karin briefly in the early 70's. She had a Datsun 240Z, which back then was a very cool car for a young girl. We used to get happy and drive the backroads of Potomac, very fast. Rest In Peace dear girl.
Inge Frye (Frye)
The 3 Hagelin sisters and their younger brother Anders arrived at our school in Switzerland in 1966 to 1967. The school was a private boarding school called Institute auf dem Rosenberg in St. Gallen. The Hagelins made quite an entry, the 4 blonds and immediately they were adopted by everyone. They were a close bunch especially the 3 girls. Ingrid, Kristina (Tina for us) and Karin were always up so some mischief. They just could not be kept still. We were amazed at what these girls could think up as pranks on the treachers. Rubbing garlic on their desks, sewing up the sleeves of their coats, anything for a laugh. They were a lively bunch and very well liked. They left the school with one of the teachers as their Nanny and we never heard from them for so many years. Recently I was able to connect with Kristina, Anders and Ingrid but unfortunately was never able to contact Karin. As I am in contact with over 65 old students from the Rosenberg I of course passed on the sad news about Karin's passing. It is pretty much my duty to pass on good and bad news to everyone. We have had 3 great reunions in the past and the alumni come from all over the world. It is unfortunate that we were not able to meet up with the Hagelins yet. Boy, did they make us laugh back then!
From all of the 65 Rosenbergers we express our condolances to Kristina, Anders and Ingrid. We hold very good memories of Karin.