KENNETH R. SCHERR

Kenneth Scherr, formerly of Braham, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at his daughter's home in Braham.  He was 77 years old.

Kenneth Ralph Scherr also known as “Little Ralph” and later in life known as Dad, Uncle Papa, and Papa was born on August 3, 1944 to Ralph and Pauline (Fitch) Scherr in Denison, Texas.  Born during wartime, he didn't meet his dad until he was 2 years old. He was the oldest of 7 children; brothers, Tom, Paul, and Mark and sisters, Christine, Judy, and Juanita. He lived in Texas till age 10 when they moved the family to Napoleon, ND. He had a formal education of 6th grade. He started working alongside his dad and uncles in the family construction business. 

He met Karen Otterstetter and they married July 10, 1962 and started a family quickly after. They had 4 children, 2 sons Kenneth Jr and Ervin, 2 daughters Katrina and Dawn. His youngest Dawn was born with Lennex Gastant Syndrome. They moved in 1972 to Mpls, MN where he worked as a Machinist. Around 1977 they wanted out of the Metro area so he worked days at his job and his nights and weekends building a new home for them in Zimmerman, MN.  In Zimmerman, He started Ken Scherr Construction that he owned and operated.  Karen grew restless there and  wanted more country living so in 1981 they packed up and moved to Miltona, MN;  a small town outside of Alexandria, MN. Shortly after moving, they lost their oldest son, Kenny in an accident.  Around 1992 his wife wanted to move back to ND so they bought a house in Napoleon, ND where they had first met. During that time, Ken served on the City Council.  He became disabled around 2006. 

He and Karen continued to live in ND until 2008 when his daughter Katrina was pregnant with twins and with her spinal conditions required help caring for his 2 granddaughters Cassidy and Kallie while she was on modified bed rest, so he moved in with her and her husband so she could grow his 2 grandsons, Ezec & Evan.  Shortly after moving in with his daughter, she noticed something wasn't right and made him a doctor’s appointment where he was quickly diagnosed with cancer and had surgery 5 days later. So moving there saved his life because the doctor said one more month and they’d have been making him comfortable. He loved to say he helped give them life and they saved his. His grandchildren were his heart and soul. He continued to live with them while he looked for a place of his own. 

He then moved to Braham, MN so he could be close to his doctors, his wife then joined him. He started to have some complications from what they had to remove from his cancer and was also diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia which mostly affected his legs at that time. His wife soon after divorced him. He was able to continue living there but started to have monthly trips by ambulance to the ER due to complications from the removal of his cancer aggravated by the Lewy Body Dementia, EVERY trip took something from him that he just couldn't quite get back. Around 2018 he was then diagnosed with Parkinsons. That’s when things really started to go downhill fast and he moved into assisted living. He loved where he lived but wished it was closer to his grandbabies. He continued to have repeated issues and multiple trips via ambulance to the ER. He SUDDENLY developed a seizure disorder the end of May 2022, which quickly stripped him of his hearts and minds wishes. His last words where "I have a long life to live, I have to see my boys (the twins) graduate", approx. 5 mins later in front of his daughter Katrina and granddaughter Kallie he had a massive and haunting seizure.  He tried his hardest to fight if off but he just couldn't and he never regained full conscience after. They moved him to United hospital where he got some of the best doctors in their fields but despite their best efforts his body just didn't cooperate and he never recover. He was then placed on hospice and moved on June 10, 2022 to his daughters home where he passed in her living room on June 12, 2022 at 5:30pm.

He was an amazing man who gave freely of himself. He loved unconditionally if you were willing to receive it. He treated everyone the same and didn't coddle but he wasn't mean. He was direct and clear which most people liked. He loved to garden and share the produce with anyone who wanted some. He loved to collect agates with his granddaughters and woodworking w his grandsons. He loved working with wood, first by building homes then he made lawn ornaments, furniture, and  toys. If you could dream it he'd find a way to build it. He loved fishing especially with his buddy Richard W. He would fish on the ice, boat or shore it didn't matter. His most favorite pass time would be scheming up ways to pick on his grandkids. He had an amazing sense of humor, a quick wit, and the way he'd say things often times made you laugh and wonder how he came up with such things so quickly! 

He loved and missed his family dearly and cherished his friends. He would be so impressed and honored that each and every one of you came today. I know his brilliant smile, sense of humor and the twinkle he'd get in his eye when he was up to something will be greatly missed. I thought he was a greatest man, larger than life, and invincible...well, at least what he taught will be...the unconditional love, no judgement, support even if he didn't agree, always there to pick you back up when you failed or crumbled are just some of the great things he'll pass on down. 

Some day we will be together again. Until then, there will be a huge hole in your hearts where he always warmed it with his laughter, teasing, smiles, joy, and the unconditional love he gave.  There will forever be this hole, a void we can't seem to fill, you left in us.  We will never be the same but in time we will adapt and mend.  We are forever changed by the great man you were. 

WE LOVE AND MISS YOU SO MUCH DAD, PAPA, BROTHER, UNCLE  & FRIEND!!! In God we trust that we will meet again!! Thank you for loving us and all you gave and taught us.  Your lasting legacy will continue to live on through all who knew and loved you.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at the Hamilton Funeral Homes- Rock Chapel in Braham.  

MEMORIAL VISITATION will be held 1 hour prior to the service.

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