Doris Y. Scharf

Doris Kendle Scharf of Omaha, former long term resident of Curtis, Nebraska, died February 7, 2021 in Omaha surrounded by her family.  She was born the daughter of Walter and Goldine (Armstrong) Kendle on October 5, 1930 in Syracuse, Nebraska.  She grew up in Syracuse, then Medford, Oregon, and Lincoln, Nebraska,  graduating from the University of Nebraska majoring in Home Economics.  



On August 31, 1952, she was united in marriage to John A. Scharf of Curtis. Their early married years were spent living together at various bases around the U.S. while John was an officer in the Army. From there, they settled into farming and ranching near Curtis, Nebraska, and were best friends for life.



A kinder person you would not meet—Doris was loving and thoughtful to all and took great joy in her jobs as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She assisted John in a successful farming and ranching career doing whatever was needed. Besides preparing banquet meals on short notice, she loved caring for newborn calves in need or flagging irrigation fields in the earlier years, and bookkeeping for the farm business. Doris loved to bake, raise beautiful flowers, play bridge, and was a talented seamstress.  She sewed her and her daughter Deb’s clothes for many years. Doris was a long time,active member of the United Methodist Church.  She taught Sunday School for more than a decade, served on church committees, and was active in the church women’s group.  Doris served as a leader in her community as a girl scout and 4-H leader, an Extension club member, a 50 year P.E.O. member and a supporter of the TeamMates mentoring program.

In later years, she and John loved traveling and were always looking forward to their next adventure, some of which included trips to China, Europe, South Africa, and multiple cruises. Whether home or abroad, they enjoyed being together all of their 65 years of marriage, and stayed active through dancing, playing bridge, and visiting their children and grandchildren. Most recently, Doris enjoyed an active life at Walnut Grove Retirement Community in Omaha where she made many new friends.

Doris was preceded in death by husband, John, sons, Gary and William, parents Walter and Goldine Kendle, sister Shirley Lane, brother Don Kendle, and many other family and close friends.  

She is survived by her children, John (Barb) of Curtis; Debra of Elkhorn; Bob (Gayle) of Gretna; cherished sister-in-law Kay Housley of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren Kristin (Jon) Larson; Steven; Stephanie (Dan) Eckles; Nichole (Kent) McKendry; Kevin, Will, and Kacie Scharf; great grandchildren: Brock, Pierce, and Quinn Larson; Madeline and Avaline Eckles; Kallon, Kinsley and Maisey McKendry; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and beloved furry companion, Gussy and Dolly.