Thomas Ames Scharfenberg, of Edgerton, died after a long battle with cancer at his home Monday, July 3, 2017.
He was born Nov. 19, 1936, to Lawrence and Maxine (Otto) Scharfenberg in Edgerton.
He graduated from Edgerton High School in 1954 and received his Bachelor of Arts from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa and his Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin.
Tom married his high school sweet heart, Judy Burdick, June 20, 1959. They lived in Delavan from 1959 to 1996 where they raised their family, moving back to Edgerton in 1996. Tom began a teaching/coaching career at Delavan-Darien High School in 1958 and worked there his entire career as a Physical Education teacher. He also taught World History and Health. He coached football, basketball, baseball, and tennis and was the school’s Athletic Director for 10 years. He was a dedicated teacher and coach for 38 years, loving every minute of it.
After retirement, he found many ways to keep busy. He enjoyed working in his yard, helping at church, was a member of the election board, played dart ball with his church team and going out for breakfast every Wednesday with his friends, Dick, Ron, and Jack. He and Judy also wintered for many years each February with friends in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Tom was a lifelong member of Central Lutheran Church in Edgerton. This year he was elected to the Edgerton Athletic Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Steve and wife, Barbara of Chanhassen, Minn.; daughter, Stacey Ryan and husband, Tim of Waunakee; and daughter, Susan Olson and husband, Chris of Austin, Texas. Also surviving are his seven grandchildren, Katie and Kelly Olson, Megan and Sean Ryan and Ellen, Max and Daniel Scharfenberg. He is also survived by his brother, Gary and wife, Edith of Beaver Dam; sister, Laurie and husband, Pierre La Plante, Oregon; brother, Jim of Jefferson; and by Judy’s sister, Dorothy Martinek and her husband John of Grinnell, Iowa, along with many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today at Central Lutheran Church, Edgerton with the Rev. Jerry Pribbenow officiating. Burial will follow the services at Fassett Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday at the Albrecht Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Edgerton from 5 to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the start of the services at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Central Lutheran’s Church Foundation Fund in Tom’s name.
Tom was a kind and gentle man. He loved his family, and always put them first.
Albrecht Funeral Homes and Cremation Services in Edgerton is assisting the family.
