Pianist Axel Georg Skjerne, age 77, died on September 1, 1968, at his home ... during a fire. Doctors said that he collapsed, probably due to overexertion. [Note: Newspaper obituary stated that Mr. Skjerne died at his home in Denmark; but after research online, it became clear that his place of death was actually Lorain County, Ohio, USA.]

Mr. Skjerne was emeritus professor of pianoforte at the Conservatory of Music of Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, United States of America. He served on the faculty of Oberlin College from 1927 until his retirement in 1956.

King Frederik IX knighted Mr. Skjerne in 1954 in appreciation of his promotion of Danish music in the United States of America. The Skjernes were both naturalized citizens of the United States of America but visited Denmark regularly.

Mr. Skjerne was a former vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church, Oberlin, Ohio, United States of America.

Survivors
Wife: Ebba
Daughter: Mrs. Werner (Ingeborg) Freitag
2 Grandchildren
Several nieces and nephews

Funeral services were held on September 5, 1968, at Margaard, the family estate of Mrs. Skjerne in Sonderso, Fyen, Denmark. Mr. Skjerne was buried in the family plot there.

Memorial services were to be held in Christ Episcopal Church, Oberlin, Ohio, United States of America, upon Mrs. Skjerne's return from Denmark.

Contributor Cathy, Find a Grave ID 47919735
September 16, 1968
"Axel Skjerne, retired Oberlin professor, dies"
Elyria Ohio Chronicle-Telegram newspaper. Page 18.
Elyria, Ohio, United States of America

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Family Search dot org:

Axel Skjerne Principal
United States Soc Sec Death Index
Death September 1968: Lorain, Ohio, United States
Birth 29 January 1891

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From Geni dot com. Public profile posted by Martin Dostál:

Axel Georg Skjerne
Birthdate: January 29, 1891
Birthplace: København
Death: September 01, 1968 (77)
Oberlin, Lorain County, OH, United States
Immediate Family:
- Son of Anders Peter Julius Skjerne and Johanne Amalie Hermande Skjerne
- Husband of Ebba Ovidia Schøller and Frances Skjerne
- Father of Ingeborg Frances Freitag
- Brother of Valdemar Christian Frederik Skjerne and Dagmar Elise Skjerne
- Occupation: pianist and professor of music at Oberlin College

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1954 Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, alumni magazine:

Professor Axel Skjerne
Is Knighted by Danish King

King Frederik the 9th of Denmark
has bestowed the Knight Cross of the
Order of Dannebrog upon Axel Sk-
jerne, professor of pianoforte in the
Oberlin College Conservatory of Mu-
sic.

The decoration, presented through
the Danish Ambassador, Henrik de
Kauffmann, of Washington, D. C.,
was given as an expression of grati-
tude for Professor Skjerne's promotion
of Danish music in the United States,
and for other work done in the inter-
est of Denmark.

A native of Copenhagen, Professor
Skjerne was graduated from the Royal
Conservatory in Copenhagen, and has
studied, also, in Berlin, Paris, and New
York. He joined the Oberlin faculty
in 1927.

New York City RECORDING SECRETARY:
Mrs. Werner Freitag (Ingeborg Skjerne),
CLASS OF '46. 355 W. 85th St., N. Y. 24.
Professor Skjerne's daughter.

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Contributor Cathy, Find a Grave ID 47919735