Leo John Scherer, Jr., age 87, beloved by so many, was welcomed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on June 20, 2023, following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He passed away peacefully with his wife, Judy, his three daughters and four generations of his loving family members by his side.
Leo was born on April 4, 1936, to Leo John Scherer, Sr. and Marie Scherer in Denver, Colorado. Raised in a faith-filled Catholic family, he grew up in Denver with his two sisters and attended Regis High School. He loved sports and was a member of the Regis basketball team. His team won the State Championship in his senior year . Following his graduation in 1954, he attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in May of 1959. While at Marquette, he was a member of the Triangle Fraternity and a Marquette Cheerleader.
It was in the fall of his senior year at Marquette that he met the love of his life, Judy O’Reilly. They both graduated in the Spring of 1959 and were married on May 21, 1960 in Cleveland, Ohio, beginning a 63-year marriage filled with so much love, family, and amazing friends. Leo and Judy moved briefly to Milwaukee and then to Green Bay, Wisconsin where they happily lived for the next 58 years. After working at several engineering companies, in 1967, he started his own company, Scherer Steel Structures, a material supplier of steel joist and metal deck to steel fabricators. Because of his incredible work ethic, his integrity, and charismatic personality, he was able to grow this company into a very successful business, helping to complete a multitude of commercial construction around the state of Wisconsin. Upon his retirement in 2000, he sold his company to the son of a family friend and his business continues to this day.
Leo was a bright light in this world and the epitome of what a man of God and a true gentleman really looks like. He showed us all what it means to truly love God and people with all your heart and soul and to give of yourself to care for the needs of others. He possessed an outgoing, uplifting spirit and the gift of making everyone he encountered, whether it was someone he knew or someone he just met, feel special! Even through the fog of Alzheimer’s, he always, up until the very end, had a kind word for his caregivers.
Leo loved sports. He had a passion and talent for golf and enjoyed many years as a golf member at Oneida Country Club, Thornberry Creek, and Innisbrook Resort, and for most of his adult life, enjoyed playing golf with his buddies and members of his family. He loved working with young people, and he loved Green Bay and actively served his community in a variety of ways. He coached his daughter’s grade school basketball team. He was the Golf Coach at Premontre High School and took the boys’ team to the State Championship. He was the voice of the Notre Dame Academy Girls High School Basketball Team for 20 years, announcing their games with enthusiasm and passion. He was very active in his church, Resurrection Catholic Parish, serving on various committees throughout his life. He also served as President of the Green Bay Boys and Girls Club, an organization that was very dear to him. Leo was very moved and honored when he was asked by his close friend, Bob Harlan, then President of the Green Bay Packers, to serve on the Packer Board. He became a Board Member on May 27, 1992, and retired from the Board, becoming a Director Emeritus on July 19, 2006. He and his wife, Judy, enjoyed watching the Packers play in three Super Bowl Championships during his time serving on the Board. Most importantly, he always had his “rally cap” on and was there to support and encourage all his children and grandchildren in any sporting event, dance recital, musical, and important events in their lives. He always shared that love, support, and enthusiasm with all of their friends as well.
He leaves an incredible legacy of a large and loving family that includes his beautiful and devoted wife, Judy, three daughters: Kerry Scherer Steel (Jordan), Elizabeth Scherer Mitchell (Mike), Kelly Scherer Chandler (Brad); ten grandchildren: Ashley Steel Arends (Andy), Kristin Steel Hart (Bryan), Hayley Steel Burton (Doug), Megan Mitchell Bedford-Strohm (Jonas), Madelyn Mitchell Hershberger (Zach), Michael Mitchell, John Reilly Chandler (Alexis), Lindsay Chandler, Ryan Chandler, and Lauren Chandler; and thirteen great-grandchildren: Tenley Arends, Elowen Arends, Ephraim Arends, Raelynn Hart, Rory Hart, Rowan Hart, Nora Burton, Brock Burton, Dani Mae Burton, Amos Bedford-Strohm, Chiara Bedford-Strohm, Jude Hershberger, and Hallie Sue Hershberger. He is also survived by his older sister, Marion Joyce, and her husband, Bob, as well as his younger sister, Rita Maher, and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Leo and Marie.
We are so grateful for the enduring legacy Leo left for each and every one of us, for taking a genuine interest in all of us by supporting and guiding us through all the events in our lives! We are grateful for all the laughter and joy he brought into our lives, for making us all feel special and so loved! We are so grateful to have grown up in such an uplifting and loving environment, stressing faith, family, and of course…the Green Bay Packers!
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 1st at The Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th Street in Overland Park, Kansas at 10:00 a.m. The family will greet friends beginning at 9:30am and there will be a reception immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. The mass will be live streamed and can be viewed at https://kc ascension.org. He will return home to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where a private internment will take place at the Allouez Catholic Mausoleum. A Celebration of Life is being planned this fall in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation for the amazing love and endless support extended to Leo and his family by Ascend Hospice, especially by his nurse, Shannon Howard, as well as his favorite caregiver over the past two years, Agnes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3846 W. 75th Prairie Village, Kansas https://www.alz.org/kansascity
Kerry and Family
My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time! Your dad was a great asset to family friend and the Green Bay community 🙏
Truly one of the best men I will ever know. As his daughter Kelly said, “He made everything better for anyone he met.” Sending love to all of the family that he cherished so much, and remembering Uncle Bud’s generosity, humor, and joyful nature with gratitude.
The memories that Leo left us will be eternally etched in our hearts. The way he filled the gymnasium at SJA with love and laughter was contagious. He was truly a special person and will be missed by the entire Whipp family. Offering you our sympathy at this time.
My sympathy and prayers for Leo and the whole family at the loss a great father, husband and grandfather. As Leo’s pastor for so many years at Resurrection Church in Green Bay, I was always greeted by Leo with his big smile and wonderful support.
I know you will miss him even as we pray that he enters eternal life. God bless him and all of you!
Fr. Paul Demuth
To the entire Scherer Family, I send my sincere sympathy and prayers for the loss of one of the nicest guys ever. I loved Leo for his quick wit, his joyful attitude, and his willingness to comfort those around him. He will be missed! God be with you all and bless you.
Sue Hoeft Antonello