Bernie Scherr was born in Ottawa, Kansas on December 10, 1934, to Bernard S. and Edith Scherr and passed from this life on January 14, 2024, in Spring Hill, Kansas. He grew up on his parents’ farm east of Collyer, Kansas, along with three brothers: Tim, Joseph, and Chuck; and two sisters: Martha and Mary Monica. Bernie graduated from Collyer High school in 1953 married Ruth Ann Connally of Collyer in 1954.
Bernie continued to work with his dad on the family farm and Ruth taught school while Bernie attended classes at Fort Hays State University, earning a B.A. degree. In 1958, Bernie and Ruth relocated to Denver, Colorado, where Bernie worked for Great Western Sugar Co. in accounting. In 1968, Bernie became Kansas distributor for Sentry Safe Company. He traveled the state representing their products until 1993.
He taught both elementary and secondary grades in Texas and Kansas. Bernie’s hobby was designing, building, and sailing fiberglass sailboats on Kansas lakes and the Gulf of Mexico at Port Isabelle, South Padre Island and Matagorda Bay, Texas. Sailing was a family hobby that began in 1970 when the children were all still at home. During this time, Bernie and Ruth made efforts to travel as much as possible with the children.
Bernie’s passions were his wife, Ruth, their five children and sailing. They would have celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary on August 12, 2024, along with their four daughters and one son who survive: Allyn Mari Mowrey and husband Mark of Louisburg, KS; Connie Mari Kassman and husband Barney of Wichita, KS; Deanne Mari Smith and husband Dave of Holcomb, KS; Mary Alice Berning and husband Dan of Olathe, KS; and Joel Scherr and wife Linda of Colorado Springs, CO. Bernie and Ruth have fourteen grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Chuck and Joseph, sister Mary Monica, and grandson Jonathan.
Memorials are suggested to ABC Pregnancy Care Center, where Bernard's granddaughter is a director.
A private family memorial is arranged.