Kaaren was born January 31, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. She is the daughter of Karl Vincent Karlstrom and Mary Anna Shields. Kaaren is survived by her daughter, Adriann Alexis Seebach, her husband Walter F. Oakley, her sister Lyn Bogdanow and her cat Keoki Kitten Kaboodle ("Koki"). She is predeceased by her brother Bard Karlstrom and cats: Charlotte, Turk McGurk, Sarah the Cat, Snidley Whipcat, DC ("Damn Cat/Deck Cat/Dad's Cat") Nanny Boo-Boo and Domino ("Patootius Maximus").

Kaaren graduated from Montgomery Blair High School, and attended Columbia University (working for the Marine Corps ROTC). Kaaren was an artist with accomplishments in poetry and painting. Her particular specialty was watercolor. In the past few years she earned special recognition such as signature status in the Baltimore Watercolor Society, membership in The Art League at the Torpedo Factory, Calvert Artist's Guild, Escape Artists, and the Maryland Federation of Art. Her work has been exhibited at the Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Annmarie Garden in Solomons, North End Gallery in Leonardtown, Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, the Eastern Academy of Art and is currently on display at the Calvert Gallery in Prince Frederick. In 2006, she was one of the thirteen artists chosen by the Calvert Memorial Hospital to display an abstract in the new Outpatient Concourse and was showcased in their 2006 "Art from the Heart" calendar. Kaaren was an active member in the community and served local animal rescue organizations such as Calvert Animal Welfare League (CAWL) and Patuxent Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). She was also a member of the Humane Society of the United States.

In lieu of flowers or items, friends are being asked to send donations and contributions directly to the Calvert Animal Welfare League and/or to the Patuxent Animal Welfare Society on her behalf.

Memorial Contributions
C.A.W.L.
PO Box 1660
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
www.cawl.com

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.

Internment at Arlington National Cemetery.