Miriam Suzanne Schlegel

GALLATIN, TN - Miriam Suzanne Schlegel, beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, peacefully departed in sleep on November 28, 2023 at her home in Gallatin, Tennessee, at the age of 92.

Miriam was born and raised in farm country near Columbus, Nebraska to the late Emil Buchholz and Clara (Groteluschen) Buchholz. One of seven children, her father was a teacher in the Christ Lutheran Church school.

Miriam married Bill, also from Columbus, in 1955. After a stint in Germany with the US Military, Bill and Miriam moved to a suburb of Minneapolis, MN, where they raised four boys. They retired in San Diego, CA, living near one of their sons and grandchildren, then spent the last 5 years near Nashville, TN. Miriam and Bill had celebrated their 68^th anniversary in June.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, James Buchholz, Fred Buchholz, Mark Buchholz, and granddaughter, Tomomi. 

Miriam is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Schlegel, and their sons, Jon, Billy and his wife Stephanie, Jerry and his wife Jamie, and Todd and his wife Maya. She is also survived by her brothers, Wallace and Steve, and her sister, Priscilla, and, eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Miriam’s children and grandchildren have lived in four different continents speaking French, Japanese, English, Portuguese, and Hebrew.

Miriam, known as “Mir”, was a people person. She was energetic, outgoing and religious, ready to talk about Jesus with everyone and anyone she met. Like her biblical namesake, Miriam praised God in song (Exo. 15:20-21). She was an amazing piano player, playing in church and as a volunteer for many years in hospitals and nursing homes. She could play hundreds of songs by ear. She lived a full life, loved many, was greatly loved by many, and will be greatly missed.

She confirmed the Apostle Paul’s words: “we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

Interment will take place on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 9:00 A.M. at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery..

Memorial services to celebrate Miriam's life will be held at 2:30 PM Central on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Friends and family are invited to participate in the memorial service via this Zoom link:
https://citychurchlb-org.zoom.us/j/83199679225
Meeting ID: 831 9967 9225