Rev. Ralph E. Scharf

Rev. Ralph Erwin Scharf was the eldest child of Rev. Prof. Erwin and Irene (Zarling) Scharf, born on May 19, 1942, in Hartford, WI. Through the hands of his earthly father in Slinger, WI, Ralph was reborn by water and the Word of Holy Baptism and received into the family of his heavenly Father. Ralph was confirmed in his Christian faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Rhinelander, WI, in the spring of 1956. Shortly after his confirmation, the Scharf family moved to Watertown, where Ralph's father had accepted a divine call to serve as professor at Northwestern College. Ralph continued his Christian education and training for pastoral ministry at Northwestern Preparatory School, graduating in 1960. He matriculated at Northwestern College on the same Watertown campus. His college years are well summarized by this excerpt from the 1964 commencement issue of Northwestern's student magazine The Black and Red:
"Ralph is one of the few from Watertown in the senior class. Being a "P.K." (Professor's Kid) and not living on campus, however, has not kept him from being an active participant in nearly all of Northwestern's extracurricular activities. He has played four years of football as a defensive end and kicker, four years of baseball as a pitcher, and four years of basketball, filling in wherever needed. In addition to his sporting activities, he has also been a member of the Male Chorus all four years, twice having been chosen to go on tour, was elected president of the Mixed Chorus for three of the four years that he has been a member of it, and has spent four years as a member of the Glee Club. This summer Ralph will again work for the Watertown Recreation Department as the head life-guard at the Riverside Park Pool. On his days off he will probably be walking down the fairways on the golf course trying to trim a few more strokes from his score. In fall he will join his classmates at the Seminary in Mequon."
After graduation from Northwestern College in 1964, Ralph continued his training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Having spent his vicar year at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Winona, MN, Ralph graduated in May of 1968 and was assigned to start a mission church in Davenport, IA. Before heading to the Quad Cities, Ralph was joined in Christian marriage to Annette (Nettie) L. Boldt at Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Morton Grove, IL by their fathers - Rev. Prof. Erwin Scharf and Rev. George Boldt. Beastly hot, humid weather and stomach bug notwithstanding, in a double wedding with Nettie's sister, Rachel (Lynn) Schroeder, Ralph and Nettie were wed and off to their honeymoon and then Iowa, in short order. Ralph occasionally said, "Don't say 'yes' to one blessing from God without being ready to say 'yes' to another." The Lord saw fit to bless their marriage with fourteen children. In other words, gladly saying "yes," and receiving a heritage from the LORD (Psalm 127:3).
Ralph's pastoral ministry spanned nearly half a century during which he served three different congregations: Gethsemane Lutheran, Davenport, IA (1968-1974), Good Shepherd's Lutheran, West Allis, WI (1974-2009), and Living Water Lutheran, Hot Springs Village, AR (2009-2018). He also served the Wisconsin Synod at large as a Milwaukee area circuit pastor, a member of the synod's Board of Trustees, and as chairman of the governing board of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. His life was dedicated to sharing the good news of sins forgiven and heaven won in Christ alone - preaching, teaching, counseling, and equipping God's people not just for life on earth, but ultimately to stand beside their Savior forever, an existence that we can only see but through a mirror dimly (1 Corinthians 13:12), but one Ralph now fully knows.
Some of the happiest times of Ralph's earthly life were spent with his bride, Nettie, and their children, 56 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Most notable were the summer weeks the family spent (often) in Cabin 1 at 7-Mile Pinecrest Resort in Eagle River, WI. Whether boating, swimming, visiting, or craft beer tasting, time at the cabin with his family was most precious. But his greatest pleasure was to be able to proclaim Christ to his family and to have no greater joy than to know that his children are walking in the truth (3 John 4).
At home on the morning of April 3, 2024, Ralph fell asleep in Jesus. The family grieves, yet not as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13), because Christ is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, and our hope in Christ is not for this life alone, but for eternity (1 Corinthians 15:20). Ralph is survived by his bride, Nettie, and thirteen children: Rebecca (Rev. John) Koelpin, Katherine (Rev. Larry) Schlomer, Deborah (Hans) Dumke, Rev. Jonathan (Janette) Scharf, Angela Scharf, Rev. Prof. David (Beth) Scharf, Cynthia (Rev. Andrew) Johnston, Rev. Nathanael (Hannah) Scharf, Benjamin (Maria) Scharf, Juliana (Benjamin) Gentz, Rev. Matthew (Rachel) Scharf, Charissa (Rev. Ross) Chartrand, and Annette (Christopher) Mundstock. He is also survived by two sisters: Charlotte (Paul) Wiley and Madeline (Thomas) Horton. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents: Erwin and Irene (nee Zarling) Scharf, a daughter: Erika Scharf, a grandson: Nathanael Schlomer, and a sister: Helen (Henry) Meyer.
Cemented to Christ Jesus in Holy Baptism, Ralph's whole life was bound up with the One who promised, "Because I live, you too, shall live," (John 14:19) the One he now sees face to face in glory everlasting. With joyful hope in the resurrection, we give thanks that Ralph's labors in the Lord were not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58), and only by God's undeserved love does he now hear heaven's welcome, "Well done, good and faithful servant...Come and share your Master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:23).
A Christian funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church with Rev. Karl Walther officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, prior to the service. The family will gather for a private burial at Highland Memorial Park in New Berlin to commit the mortal remains to the earth in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and rejoice in the glad hope of the resurrection. If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Luther Preparatory School, earmarked for the "Erika Anne Scharf Memorial Scholarship". Hafemeister Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hafemeisterfh.com.