Tom Scharfenberg
Sad news. The Delavan-Darien School District community lost a longtime educator, coach and friend on July 3. Tom Scharfenberg, 80, died at home Monday following a battle with cancer. He spent his entire 38-year career as a Comet, teaching Physical Education, World History, and Health at Delavan-Darien High School. He also coached football, basketball, baseball and tennis for the Comets and was the Athletics Director for a decade during his tenure.
His obituary is below.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2017, at Central Lutheran Church, Edgerton with Rev. Jerry Pribbenow officiating. Burial will follow the services at Fassett Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Edgerton from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the start of the services at the church on Friday.
He will certainly be missed. #CometStrong
Thomas Ames Scharfenberg was born, November 19, 1936 to Lawrence and Maxine (Otto) Scharfenberg in Edgerton. After a long battle with cancer, he died at home on Monday, July 3, 2017.
He graduated from Edgerton High School in 1954 and received his B.A. from Luther College, Decorah, IA and his M.S. from the University of Wisconsin.
Tom married his high school sweet heart, Judy Burdick, June 20, 1959. They lived in Delavan, WI from 1959-1996 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 is friends, Dick, Ron, and Jack. He and Judy also wintered for many years each February with friends in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 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, MN, daughter Stacey Ryan and husband Tim of Waunakee, WI and daughter Susan and husband Chris of Austin, TX. 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, WI, sister Laurie and husband Pierre La Plante, Oregon, WI, brother Jim of Jefferson, WI, and by Judy’s sister Dorothy Martinek and her husband John of Grinnell, IA along with many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Central Lutheran Church, Edgerton with Rev. Jerry Pribbenow officiating. Burial will follow the services at Fassett Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Edgerton from 5 PM to 7 PM 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.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Thomas A. Scharfenberg, please visit the funeral home’s Tribute Store.