Obituary: Karen L. Scharf

Karen L. Scharf, age 79, of Brillion, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, January 20, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. 

Karen was born in Green Bay, the daughter of the late Hank and Harriett (Anderson) Krueger.  At a young age, her family moved from Hilbert to Brillion.  Karen graduated from Brillion High School with the class of 1961.  She went on to further her education at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and returned later to receive her teaching degree at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.  Karen married Willis “Bick” Scharf on December 21, 1964.  They were married 49 years before he passed away on July 14, 2013.  Karen was a teacher at St. Mary Catholic School in Reedsville and then St. Mary Catholic School in Brillion.  She very much enjoyed teaching.  

Karen loved her family and especially loved being a Grandma and Great-Grandma. Monday and Wednesday nights and Saturday morning donuts were cherished time spent with family.  Karen and Bick loved their time at the cottage, on Long Lake, going for cocktail cruises on the pontoon boat with friends and family. After retirement, they spent most of the winter in Florida where Karen continued the winter pilgrimage until this year! She really enjoyed watercolor painting and taking painting classes whenever she could.  She started Bridge club which has been meeting since 1966 and was in a book club for over 15 years. Karen loved to paint, read, play games, attend plays and musicals, camp with family and friends and travel - especially to Jamaica. Many lifelong friendships were made through Karen and Bick’s involvement in Cursillo and Marriage Encounter.  Karen had so many dear friends that she cherished so very much and were an important part of her life. As Karen wrote, “I had a wonderful life!”

The family would like to thank all those who “held mom’s hand” and supported her during this time.

Karen is survived by her children and spouses:  Melissa (Jeff) Weber of Freedom, Steve (RuthAnn) of Kaukauna, Becky Van Elsen of Kaukauna, and Mike (Kary) of Brillion; grandchildren: Joshua (Katie) Weber, Tyler (Johanna) Weber, and Meghan (James) De Grave, Zack Scharf, Dr. Zoey Scharf, Mykela (Bailey) Krueger, and Maxwell (Katelyn) Scharf

Great grandchildren: Stella and soon-to-be baby boy Weber, Oliver and soon-to-be baby Weber, William and soon-to-be baby boy De Grave, Aurelia and Renold Krueger, and soon-to-be baby boy Scharf; one brother and sister-in-law: Scott (Peggy) Krueger of Lady Lake, FL; other in-laws: James Williams of Brillion and Lyle Bruss of Green Bay; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bick, her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Arno and Edna (Peter) Scharf; sister: Linda Williams; sister-in-law: Arnita Bruss; and other relatives.  

Funeral Mass will take place at 12:00 p.m. NOON on Thursday (TODAY) January 25, 2024, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brillion.  Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Tom Pomeroy and Deacon Greg Van Thiel.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends at church on Thursday morning (TODAY) from 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be made.

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

“I have lived a thousand lives and I have loved a thousand loves.  I’ve walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time.  Because I read.” George R. Martin