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Jean Scharff

September 5, 1946 - April 6, 2023

Jean Annette (Bork) Scharff, 76, passed away on April 6, 2023.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (517 SW Des Moines St., Ankeny, IA) with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Jean was born on September 5, 1946, to Dale and Gladys Bork in LeMars, Iowa. After she graduated from Meriden-Cleghorn High School in 1964, she earned her B.A. (1968) and M.A. (1970) degrees from the University of South Dakota in elementary education.

In 1968, Jean began her career as a fourth-grade teacher for Rock Valley Community Schools. Over the course of her 34-year teaching career, she worked for various school districts throughout Iowa. Jean retired from North Central Community Schools as a special education teacher in 2002.

She was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church as well as Compassionate Friends grief support group. Jean was a talented seamstress who created remarkable needlework crafts in her early years. She was also a phenomenal cook and enjoyed reading in her free time.

She was known by the family as a faithful, dedicated, and earnest person who loved family above all else. Her devoted husband of 55 years knew her as the most patient and helpful soulmate on the face of the earth. Jen and Jamie knew she would stand behind them in whatever they pursued and relished in their growth and successes. She gloried in granddaughter Ezri’s hugs and kisses. Her sudden departure leaves a huge hole in the heart of the family. She would say her strong religious faith is what buoyed her and made her look forward to reuniting with son, Jonathon, in heaven.

Those left to cherish her memory include husband, James Scharff; daughters, Jennifer Scharff and Jamie (Joel) Martin; granddaughter, Ezriella Martin; siblings, Ronald (Marilyn) Bork, Linda (Ed) Dunklau, and Neal (Marie) Bork; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her son, Jonathon, she was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Gladys Bork.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be designated to Iowa State Women’s Basketball through the We Will Collective online at https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/FafCs9_o3Jhmca4onTY2Lg?t=1650915247  Note: On the donation page, below the Gift Designation heading, please select the box that states Yes, I’ll leave a note about my designation. You can then assign your gift to Women’s Basketball by typing Women’s Basketball in the fillable field.