Karen Elizabeth Holtkamp

HOLTKAMP, Karen Elizabeth 83, of Cleveland, Ohio died on June 3, 2025. Widow of the late Walter H. (“Chick”) Holtkamp, Jr.; mother of Sarah McFarlane Polly (Steve) of Rocky River, OH; step-mother to Chick Holtkamp III of Cleveland, OH, Chris Holtkamp (Heather Chapman) of Cleveland, OH, and Mark Holtkamp of Dalton, MA; grandmother to Evelyn Polly, Iris Polly, Eva Holtkamp, Alex Holtkamp, Sophia Holtkamp, Nick Holtkamp, and Will Holtkamp; sister to Mary Ann Earl of Farmington, MO; and forever connected to the Fasoldt family. 

Born January 2, 1942 in St. Louis, MO to Bonnie and Nicholas Walz, she was raised in St. Louis and Webster Groves, as well as in Crystal City for a time with her beloved Aunt Nellie and Uncle Wilbur. She graduated from Lindenwood College and had a short career as a public school music teacher before taking off for New York City in her VW bug in 1966 to pursue other opportunities in music. After many years at The Riverside Church, she was head of Murtagh/McFarlane Artists Management (eventually Karen McFarlane Artists) from 1976 to 2000 where she represented the world’s finest concert organists from the U.S. and abroad, along with choirs in the English choral tradition. She was a devoted church musician throughout her life, serving as organist and conductor at multiple churches including St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Marcos, TX, The Riverside Church and Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City, and Church of the Covenant in Cleveland. 

During her retirement, she and Chick enjoyed several months every year in Wellfleet, MA; relished living among the interesting residents and friends and caring staff at Judson Manor; and volunteered in a myriad of ways and compiled volumes of genealogy research. Her remains will be buried alongside Chick’s at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland in a private service. A memorial service is scheduled for September 19, 2025 at 1:30pm at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland. 

Donations can be made in her name to Hospice of the Western Reserve.  www.hospicewr.org