Ruth A. Scharpf

Ruth Adele Scharpf went to her eternal home on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.
She was born August 30, 1927 in Dubuque, Iowa to Martha and Carl Gebhard, the third of four daughters. Her father was a manager of Kresge Stores, and as a result, she lived in a number of cities in Wisconsin and Illinois throughout her younger years, before settling in Oshkosh in 1947.

She met her husband Ray on a blind date, and they were married on September 9, 1950 at the First Presbyterian Church in Oshkosh. She was a stay-at-home mom, raising four sons. In 1971 Ruth and Ray purchased Biebel’s Uniform store in Oshkosh. During the next 15 years, Ruthie and Ray expanded the business, opening and operating six uniform stores in Eastern Wisconsin. As the fashion for white uniforms and waitress uniforms changed, the company adapted by manufacturing and selling Career Apparel to banks and large corporations. When they retired in 1989, three of her sons and two daughters-in-law were active in the business.

She and Ray loved working together and they really enjoyed retirement together, as well. Together they took up a hobby of making lifelike porcelain dolls, creating a character of each one they crafted, artfully costuming and posing it. Ruthie and Ray traveled a lot, taking trips in their motorhome, cruises in the Caribbean and through European ports, even hot-air ballooning in Europe. They enjoyed many winters in Arizona and Destin, Florida. Everywhere they went, they made new and lasting friendships. Ruthie relished visits with her family and many friends, and she and Ray loved entertaining together. Ruth was a great cook, accomplished knitter, and wonderful homemaker. She was a loving spirit, a shrewd business lady, tough card player, and a sparkle in any room she entered.

Ruthie was a devoted and greatly-loved wife, daughter, mother, grandma, aunt and sister. She is preceded in death by her loving husband and best friend Ray, and by her parents and two sisters, Marie (Owen) Leonard and Elaine (Olen) Leonard. She is survived by her loving family. Four sons: Steve (Judy), Mike (Sara), and Tom (Deb) of Oshkosh, and Ben (Melissa) of Middleton. Five grandchildren: Aaron (Katie) Scharpf of Grand Rapids, MN; Andrea (Andy) Dahl of Oshkosh; Eric (Jeana) Scharpf of Waunakee; Emily Scharpf (special friend Chris) of Madison; Mary (Nick) Atkin of Verona, WI. Seven great grandchildren: Landon and Jaxson Dahl, Elijah Atkin, and Aubrey, Karley, Avery and Owen Scharpf. Her youngest sister: Shirley (Keith) Ellenberger of Prairie Village, KS. Special family friend: Sandy Wahamaki of Neenah. Ruth is also survived by many special nieces and nephews.

The Scharpf family extends their deep appreciation to personal attendant Margie for the tender care she gave our mother after Ray died.

Per Ruth’s wishes, the family will have a private funeral.

Gifts in Ruth’s memory may be made to a charity close to one’s heart.