Arden Knight Schlegel,

Arden Knight Schlegel, nee Hertzog, 90, of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away peacefully at her home on July 27, 2026. Arden was born on November 9, 1935, in Newark, New Jersey to Emile and Marjorie Hertzog.

She was raised in Ridgewood, New Jersey and earned her undergraduate degree from Simmons College in Boston. After graduation, she moved to Greenwich Village, New York City working for Parents Magazine and United States Testing Co. all while attending Teachers College, Columbia University. Her work included testing and managing the process for the ‘Commended by Parents Magazine’ seal of approval.

While representing Parents Magazine at the National Houseware Trade Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey, she met ‘the love of her life’, Jack (John Edward) Schlegel. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on December 26, 1960, with 13 lucky guests in attendance. Soon after she completed her Masters in Home Economics from Columbia and then joined Jack in Chicago. There she consulted as a photography food stylist for Feldkamp-Malloy and other leading advertising agencies. She developed food education kits for midwestern and national brands like Ekco and Mirro. She also loved her appearances promoting healthy, fun nutrition on WGN’s Ray Rayner and His Friends. Later in her career she also worked on projects with Jack at his agency, Jack Schlegel Advertising.

Arden stepped away from full-time work to raise her family and serve her community. She spent countless hours in school volunteer and PTA leadership roles. As president of the Chicago High School Council PTA in the early 80s she led parental efforts to stabilize and improve schools during times of budget difficulties and change. With 21 high school PTA’s participating to provide citywide input to the Chicago Board of Ed, her council received special recognition for their impact and work around guidance programs, decentralization and funding. After her children completed school, she volunteered at Edgebrook Elementary School helping children share her love of reading in their 2nd grade English as a Second Language reading programs.

She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout leader, church deacon, and member and leader in the Edgebrook Women’s Club. She loved to sew and designed costumes for many of Taft High School plays and musicals in the late 70s and early 80s. She found joy tending her garden, rooting for the Cubs, and filling her home with laughter and love.

Arden was a dedicated mom to her son, Fred (LaVonn) Schlegel of Bloomington, Indiana and her daughter Marjorie (Derk) Osenberg of Chicago, Illinois. She was a loving grandmother to Sarah (Mark) Nagelvoort, Matthew (Roshni) Schlegel, Drake and Kyle Osenberg; an adoring great-grandmother of Henry, Evelyn, and Anirudh and a beloved aunt to her nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 45 years, John Edward (Jack) Schlegel, brother Emile “Buck” Hertzog, and nephew Steve Schlegel.

The family will hold private celebrations of Arden’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society.