Miss Kalle (Karen) Marie Kristiane Abelseth

Miss Kalle (Karen) Marie Kristiane Abelseth was a Norwegian survivor of the Titanic disaster. Born on September 14, 1895, in Ørskog, Norway, she was just 16 (sixteen) years old when she embarked on her fateful journey to America. Her story is one of survival, resilience, and a new life forged in the aftermath of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Background

Karen Abelseth was born into a large Norwegian family, with her parents Iver Kristian Martinus and Nikoline Petrine Asmundsdatter Nilsen having married on April 25, 1887. She was one of several siblings, including:

Lisa Petrine (born February 18, 1891)
Nils Peter (born January 14, 1897)
Bergitte Andrea Nilsine (born February 26, 1899)
Lisa Olivia (born November 3, 1900)
Anna, Louise, and Laurits

While some of her sisters, including Anna, Lisa, and Bertha, had already emigrated to the United States, Karen was preparing to join them, leaving behind her brothers who remained in Norway.

The Titanic Journey

How did Karen Abelseth come to be on the Titanic?

Karen Abelseth boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third-class passenger. She was part of a group of Norwegian travelers, including:

Their journey began in Ålesund, Norway, taking them to Newcastle via Bergen before joining the Titanic for its maiden voyage.

What were Karen’s travel details?

Detail	Information
Class	3rd Class
Ticket Number	348125
Fare	£7 13s
Destination	848 East Adams Street, Los Angeles, California

Karen’s ultimate destination was Los Angeles, where her sister Anna resided. During the voyage, she shared a cabin with Anna Salkjelsvik and some Swedish girls.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Karen experience the Titanic’s collision?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Karen slept through the initial collision with the iceberg. It wasn’t until Adolf Mathias Nicolai Olsen Humblen woke her that she realized something was amiss. Emerging into the corridor, she witnessed a scene of chaos:

“People had risen and came dragging their trunks.”

The sight filled Karen with fear, and she began shaking uncontrollably. Sigurd Hansen Moen had to hold onto her to keep her steady.

How did Karen survive the sinking?

As the situation on the Titanic became dire, Karen was escorted to the deck by Olaus, Moen, and Søholt. There, she was helped into a lifeboat, believed to be Lifeboat 16. Before the boat was lowered, Moen offered words of encouragement:

“Be brave, all will be well in the end.”

These words would prove prophetic, as Karen was among the survivors of the Titanic disaster.

Aftermath and New Life in America

After her rescue, Karen spent some time recovering at St. Vincent Hospital before continuing her journey to Minneapolis. Eventually, she made her way to Los Angeles, fulfilling her original travel plans.

What became of Karen after the Titanic?

Karen’s life after the Titanic was marked by new beginnings:

She married Harry Sylvester Little
The couple had five children:
- Two sons: Norman and Francis
- Three daughters: Phyllis, Wanda, and Iris
By 1956, Karen was living in Los Angeles

When did Karen Abelseth pass away?

Karen Abelseth lived a long life, passing away on July 27, 1969, in Inglewood, California. She was 73 (seventy-three) years old at the time of her death. Karen was laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery, having lived a life that spanned from the fjords of Norway to the shores of California, with an extraordinary tale of survival in between.

Karen Abelseth’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to build a new life in the face of unimaginable adversity. Her experience on the Titanic, while a defining moment, was just one chapter in a life filled with family, new beginnings, and the pursuit of the American dream.