A graduate of the Quincy College of Music, Miss Schaller was a 'small town prodigy' in music. She was a concert pianist.

From an article printed 11 April 1913, in the Quincy Daily Whig: "Miss Schaller is a pupil of Miss Lula M. Felt and is an accomplished artist of, to say the least, extraordinary ability. Her technique is superb, while the expression and feeling which she put in her work, is seldom equalled. The large crowd was immensely pleased and would have willingly listened to Miss Schaller for several hours more."

Marie became a teacher at the same college the following spring.

Miss Schaller was brilliant scholastically as well as musically. In an article dated 7 April 1906, printed in the Quincy Daily Journal on page 6, she is described as winning a spelling contest, which consisted of the "ten star spellers from each of the six eighth-grade schools." 1,400 words were used, and she won over 59 other students with a correct spelling of the word "calliope."

From that article, (and other sources), her parental information: "Marie Schaller, the winner, is the daughter of Mrs. Amelia Schaller, widow of the late Frederick L. Schaller, and resides at No. 636 South Fourteenth street."

Following her studies in Quincy, Marie Dorothea Schaller received critical praise for her piano concerts while studying and teaching in Chicago. She had plans to continue her musical studies abroad.

Tragically, she would die in the flu epidemic of 1918.

- Research and Biography by Tree Leaf

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Two brief excerpts from a long, beautifully written obituary, printed in the Quincy Daily Herald on 24 October 1918, page 9:

"A Genius in Music.

Miss Schaller died this morning at 8 o'clock after an illness of only two days from Spanish influenza. This word has come as a severe shock to the entire city, as the name of Marie Schaller wsa known in every corner of our community for her marked talent. She was a pianist of more than unusual ability. Her art was her life. For years she had devoted her entire time to the study of music, and in the musical circles of Chicago, where she was located for the past two years, she made a name for herself, which had promise of being one of the best known in this country on the continuation of her study.

Miss Schaller studied for the past two years with Professor Harold Henry in Chicago, and her master has always called her his most gifted pupil. In class lessons each week, she was called upon to demonstrate all musical passages, and she acted as an assistant teacher to Professor Henry in his studio."

and

"Her Remarkable Memory.

Miss Schaller was able to memorize a difficult nine-page piece of music from a piano within forty-five minutes. She then would go to the piano and play the score perfectly."

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From The Quincy Daily Herald, Saturday, October 26, 1918; page 14.

Miss Marie Schaller
A Martyr to the
Liberty Loan Cause

Miss Marie Schaller, whose death in Chicago on Thursday of this week, has caused so many sorrowing hearts in Quincy, contracted double pneumonia, the serious nature of which she could not overcome, and which took her life so quickly after she was taken to her bed. Miss Schaller gave her services to the entertainment committee of the fourth Liberty loan campaign in Chicago and along with other artists played in booths on the various street corners, which had been erected during the loan drive.

On account of the epidemic all theaters were closed and public gatherings barred, so that the talented artists in the city along with the players who were making their headquarters in the city while they could not travel, gave their services for the good of the cause and played to large gatherings on many of the prominent corners in the loop district during the last week of the campaign. Miss Schaller gladly gave of her services and enjoyed her work, but unfortunately contracted a heavy cold at that time which resulted so seriously.

Quincy sorrows at losing such an example of young womanhood from her midst, one which possessed such an unusual talent for which the world craves. In her passing we are reminded of another bright and accomplished young woman, whose wonderful career, so much like that of Miss Schaller, was sacrificed on the altar of death. Miss Lillian Wemhoener, who gave her life to her talent, was also called to sacrifice her art on the altar of death. Their memory will live in our hearts forever.

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From The Quincy Daily Herald, Saturday, October 26, 1918; page 10.

Miss Schaller's Remains
Arrive from Chicago

The body of Miss Marie Schaller arrived from Chicago on the midnight train accompanied by her two brothers, Fred and William Schaller. They were taken to the Herman Stormer's undertaking parlors. The funeral services, which will be private, will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock from the home of her sister, Mrs. Louis Muegge, 630 South Fourteenth street, and burial will take place in Greenmount cemetery. Friends may view the remains at the home Sunday morning from 10 to 2 o'clock.

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From The Quincy Daily Herald, Tuesday, October 29, 1918; page 10.

Funeral Services For Miss Schaller

Private funeral services were held for Miss Marie Schaller Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Muegge of 639 South Fourteenth street, the Rev. H. J. Leemhuis, pastor of the Salem Evangelical church, officiating. A small gathering of the immediate friends of the young woman gathered at Greenmount cemetery later in the afternoon, where the remains were laid to rest with most impressive services. Mrs. (Ron?) Arnold very beautifully sang "O Morning Land" and "Nearer My God to Thee," accompanied on the violin by Miss Martha Granacher. The pallbearers were Frank A. Bird, George Hagemann, Henry Haller, John Muegge, Rudy Sathoff and Fred Bush.

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- All research, (unquoted) writing, and transcriptions, by 'Tree Leaf.'

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Cemetery information:

Died aged 25 years, 3 months, 5 days.

Interment date: 27 October 1918.