Steven D. Scherer passed away January 22, 2017 at Fairview Ridges Hospital. A visitation will be Monday, January 30, 2017 from 4-7PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 11AM with a visitation 1-hour prior at St. Michael Catholic Church, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside.
On June 21, 1946, Don and Betty Scherer welcomed their son, Steven, into this world. As a child, he spent his summers working at Green Heights, his grandparent’s resort, where he managed the cabins. When he wasn’t working, Steve enjoyed the water slide, spending time with cousin, Patty Ann Jorgenson, and antagonizing his grandparent’s parrot. Despite being an only child, Steve had a large extended family. When Helen and Leonard Clerkin moved to Prior Lake with Gary, their son, Steve found his second family and the brother he never had. This began an almost 60-year friendship.
In high school, Steve played football and discovered his passion for hunting. Following his high school graduation in 1964, Steve attended Mankato State University. He completed his psychology degree at the University of Minnesota. After college, Steve fell in love with Erin Garvey of Farmington. They were married in October of 1966 and blessed with a son, Nicholas, and daughter, Shannon.
In 1976, Steve met Bonnie Ueland and quickly fell in love. They married on August 11, 1979. In April of 1980, their daughter Amanda was born, followed by Miriah in November of 1981. They delighted in watching their children and grandchildren grow. Steve took his children on memorable hunting trips to Bismarck, ND, Colorado, Iowa, and more. He was committed to teaching his children proper firearm safety. Steve enjoyed hunting with Gary, many friends, and late brother-in-law, Bruce Ueland. Along with Miriah, Don, and cousin, Jeff Raines, Steve loved driving the valleys of Henderson, MN to look at the deer.
Steve was active in his community. He assisted with the Girl Scouts pancake breakfast, cookie sales, and annual plant sale, absorbing all costs of items not sold so the scouts could benefit 100% of the earnings. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, Gun Owners of America, the United States Conceal and Carry Association, the Wood Workers Association, and a member of the Teamsters Union. Along with Bonnie, he proudly started the MN RSD Coalition for persons suffering from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome.
Anyone who met Steve instantly knew he had a big-heart. There was always an orphaned animal in his house—baby squirrels, grackles, bunnies, ducklings, and dogs. Steve even had a fondness for crows, he greatly admired their intelligence! Steve’s kindness extended to his friends and family. He loved hosting murder mystery parties, leaving secret Santa gifts on friend’s doorsteps, and spending every evening with his father until he passed away. Steve and Bonnie were blessed with amazing friends—so many people touched Steve’s life. One of Steve’s lifelong dreams was to hunt for morel mushrooms, a dream Bob and JoAnn Wiseman helped fulfill.
He was a fair and gentle man, but steadfast and firm to his convictions. There was no wavering in his decisions once it was made, except when it came to his grandchildren. He loved passionately, laughed often, was a dedicated friend, father, grandfather, uncle, and husband. Steve’s legacy will live on in his wife, Bonnie (Ueland) Scherer; children, Nick Scherer, Shannon (Ted) Hennen, Amanda (Cory Kessler) Scherer, Miriah (Steve) Johnson; grandchildren, Rebecca Scherer, Lexi Hennen, Logan Hennen, Jacob Kessler, Roman Johnson, Paityn Johnson, Kolten Johnson; brother, Gary (Carla) Clerkin; many nieces and nephews and other loving relatives. Steve will be greeted in heaven by his parents, Donald and Betty (Simpkins) Scherer; grandparents, Tom (Helen) Simpkins, and Albert (Cecelia) Scherer; mother and father-in-law, Donald (Dorothy) Ueland; brother-in-law, Bruce Ueland.
