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Alina Scharko, affectionately known as Basa, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at Theda Clark Hospital due to a severe stroke. She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her passing. She lived her 92 years of life to the fullest - two days before her passing, she enjoyed eating cream puffs at the Wisconsin State Fair. She was born in Smolensk, Russia on July 29, 1922. Basa loved nature and animals, and she taught these values to her family. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life, including flower gardens and her cats, as well as drives through the countryside. She was always up for an adventure, especially if it included a trip to visit family. She was an avid reader and enjoyed catching up on politics and current events each day. She was kind, gentle and caring and had a delightful sense of humor and vivid imagination. She was a truly remarkable person with an unwavering spirit, as can be attested to by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her faith in God was solid and she was a confirmed member of Martin Luther Church.
Basa survived the totality of World War II and lost many of her family members. She was captured by German soldiers and could not return to her home in Russia after the war. In post-war Europe, she met the love of her life, Nick Scharko, another displaced Russian, whom many lovingly called "Moose." They were married on October 23, 1947 and enjoyed 43 years of marriage and had a beautiful family together. Following the war they were sponsored by the Methodist Church to come to America, after an emigration official decided their fate with a coin flip. When they arrived on June 30, 1950, they were greeted by fireworks over the Statue of Liberty. They were assigned to go to Plainfield, Wisconsin. Together they worked in the fields and soon saved enough money to move to Neenah, Wisconsin. They proudly built their home and raised their family on Sterling Street. They met many great friends who supported their new life as American citizens. Basa worked for the Kimberly Clark Corporation for thirty years. After Nick's death in 1990, Alina became the matriarch of the family, a responsibility which she took seriously. Her family was blessed to be led by her.
Alina is survived by her three children Helen Chizhova of Smolensk, Russia, Alexander Scharko MD of Philadelphia, and Mary Flatt (Pat Flegle) who owns Salon M in Neenah. Basa is also survived by six grandchildren Sergei Khochin of Smolensk, Frances Steele (Doran) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Marilyn Scharko of Chicago, Illinois, Michelle Trumpy (Timothy) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nicole Scharko of Bloomington, Indiana, and Natasha Flatt of Chicago, Illinois. Her great-grandchildren were certainly a highlight in her life: Adelaide, Imogen and baby girl Steele due in November, Alexandra Trumpy, Nicholas Shores, Athena Scharko, Jeremy Zavorski, Penelope Deland, and two granddaughters in Russia, and a great-great grandchild, Viviana. Basa is also survived by her special friends, Kay Phillips and Kabir Bhatt, and her wonderful neighbors and dear friends the Wenda Family.
The memorial service will be held at 1 PM, Sat. Aug. 16, 2014 at Martin Luther Church (436 S. Lake St.) in Neenah. Her family will receive visitors starting at noon at church.
A special thank you to Theda Clark ICU team, especially nurses Angie, Tabbitha, Leah, and Maria. We appreciate the care and compassion that Dr. Gizelle Larson and nurse practitioner, Kathy Shine showed to Alina and our family during this difficult time. We are also grateful for the excellent care that Basa received in the latter years of her life from her primary care physician, Kelly Krueger.
Memorials in lieu of flowers appreciated.
Basa, we love you without end.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Mary and family, Just heard about your mother's passing. She was a wonderful lady to know and always greeted you with a smile. May you find comfort in knowing she is with her Savior.
Kathy Reader
August 27, 2014
Alex and family, So sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful mother! The lovely tribute and story of her life revealed her courage and endurance! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Dr. Ellen, CHOP colleague of Dr. Alex
Ellen Sholevar
August 18, 2014
Deepest sympathy to all on the passing of Basa. May the happy memories continue to enrich your lives.
Sue Klemp
August 17, 2014
Mary and family,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. May the wonderful memories of your mom comfort you at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Leanne Fugate
August 15, 2014
Mary & family,
I was saddened to learn of Basa's emergency and passing. The tribute to her in the obituary, was beautiful. Her life encompassed so much. She was such a strong beautiful lady, wife, mother,grandmother and great grandmother. May God wrap his peace and comfort around all of you at this most difficult time. She is now happy, "in the house built for her in heaven."
Kathie Kerkhoff
August 15, 2014
Mary and Family- Your Mom will be missed. I hope her memories live on with all of you.
Thinking of you,
Susan Garcia Franz and family
August 15, 2014
This is a beautifully composed story of Basa's life. She endured and thrived in spite of great losses. She will be missed, and her legacy lives on through all of her descendents.
Ellen Emery
August 15, 2014
Mary and Family,
So sorry to hear about Basa. I always look forward to hearing "Basa stories" when I come in to get my hair done. She was a remarkable women and raised a remarkable family. So lucky you all are to have the sense of Family so many never get to experience. A great loss to be sure, but she left you with so much. Treasure the memories....
With deepest sympathies.
Jo Bockin
August 15, 2014
Such a sad time, but the whole Scharko family is a beautiful tribute to Basa's life. It's been a blessing to be part of it. So many memories...holidays, birthdays, cookouts, and 'prashnies'. Fireworks, Mars hamburgers, station wagon rides, Sing-along with Mitch Miller, too many yet never enough desserts, borrowing pans and picnic tables, and of course the many trays of slides. Sterling Street was the original European Union!
Mr finally has his Mrs with him!
Marianne Lading
August 14, 2014
Alex.
it has been many years gone by since I have seen you .your mom was a very special lady she had a lot of trials in her life and she over came them all
Blessings to you Alex & Family
Tim Hewitt
old neighbor from sterling street
August 14, 2014
With deepest sympathy you have from us with the loss of your mom She was a lady of many trials in life and she made it thru them all.
Blessings
Timothy Hewitt
Sterling St Neenah
August 14, 2014
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