Melanie Karr Munro

Melanie Karr Munro

Cedar Rapids

Melanie Karr Munro died peacefully on Monday, December 11th at her home in Cedar Rapids after a long illness. Her devoted and loving husband of 56 years, Charles, was by her side.

The eldest of three children, Melanie came into the world on December 17, 1942, to Robert and Mary Karr in Long Beach, California, where she grew up with her two younger brothers, Jon and Richard. A passionate musician, Melanie pursued piano from an early age, studying with formidable pianists and instructors, first teaching piano as a teenager. She went on to study music at the University of Southern California and earned a master’s degree in piano performance from the University of Michigan.

While in college working summers as a tour guide at Disneyland, Melanie met a dashing young man named Charles Munro, a ride operator, also a student at USC. Melanie always said that Charles had the kindest, most sincere heart of any man she’d ever met.

Melanie and Charles married on February 11, 1967, in Long Beach, California, subsequently moving around the country while Charles completed his US Air Force service and pursued a career in broadcast journalism. Melanie taught elementary school for several years, then began her own piano studio from their various homes.

When Charles asked her what she truly wanted out of life, Melanie shared that she wanted to be the best community piano teacher in whatever town they landed in, as well as a loving mother and wife. Her first daughter, Kara, was born in 1972, and her second daughter, Kate, arrived in 1980.

Melanie spent her life passionately teaching piano to hundreds of students, many of whom went on to pursue their own careers in music. She finally got to realize her dream of owning her own Steinway, which she’d always dreamed of growing up. She treasured being able to enjoy a rich, meaningful career in shaping young musicians while never being far from her family. Melanie also loved meeting and collaborating with other piano professionals in Cedar Rapids and around the world, celebrating her 50th year of teaching in 2018.

Melanie had a strong faith and knew with absolute certainty that she would be reunited with her parents and other beloved friends and family members there. We know that she is in heaven rubbing shoulders with the incredible musicians and composers she always admired in life, playing on Steinways, giggling in her wonderful, exuberant laugh and eating her favorite sweets.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, from 4-7pm. The funeral service will be at 10:30 AM, Thursday, December 21, 2023, at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.

Melanie is survived by her husband, Charles Munro, daughters, Kara and Kate Munro, her son-in-law Jonathan Scheib, granddaughters Charlotte and Violet Scheib, brothers Jon and Richard Karr, nephews Dustin and Gatsby Karr, and nieces, Ella Karr Carter, and Amber Karr.

In lieu of flowers, Melanie would like it if could give the gift of piano instruction to enable young students to study piano. Donations may also be directed to The Mercy Foundation/ Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids.

Online condolences are welcome at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.