John Scheff Obituary

John Andrew Scheff of Rimrock, AZ, formerly of Welcome, MN, passed away April 5th after a short stay in Generations Senior Living in Clarkdale, AZ, at the age of 95 years. A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont. Military honors will be outside the funeral home at 11:00 AM presented by the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1222. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont with a lunch following back at Lakeview Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
John was born August 9, 1929, to Eugene and Clara (Pluta) Scheff in Manyaska Township in Martin County, MN. He lived on a farm south of Welcome with his family attending school in district 36, later graduating from Welcome High School in 1948. At the age of 20 in 1951, John was drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Korean War. He proudly served his country until the war's conclusion in 1953. That same year he met and married his first wife LaDonna (Eltgroth) Scheff, now LaDonna Schwieger. Together they had four children: Steven, Vicky, Douglas and Charnelle. During John's marriage to LaDonna the family experienced many loving and memorable moments. Life was never dull, and it often included unexpected adventures. One such tale involved a frozen up shot gun from a pheasant hunting trip. The firearm thawed and spontaneously discharged creating a hole in the kitchen ceiling. Fortunately, no one was hurt. John also faced significant challenges with incredible strength. In 1967, he was involved in a serious accident while riding on an old-fashioned spoke wheel tractor driven by son Steven. He felt his foot hit the spoke. The rotating wheel then pulled his leg in partially severing it below the knee. Demonstrating extraordinary bravery John finished amputating the remainder of his leg with a wire cutter and used his army belt as a tourniquet. These quick-thinking actions ultimately saved his life. News of his accident and survival spread across town. John and LaDonna were featured in the local Fairmont Sentinel with a large photo. The family still treasures that clipping. After the accident Steven jokingly coined a family saying that the tractor wasn't a John Deere, it almost became a Deere John.
John and LaDonna separated in 1969. Through out his life John was a true community man always willing to lend a hand. He would ride his snowmobile through blizzards to help stranded motorists or deliver groceries to snowed in neighbors. Also, a talented handyman that could fix about anything. John and son Doug helped several farmers throughout the years and after a hard days work they would enjoy an ice cold fifty cent beer on occasion or Doug's choice, a Tequila Sunrise. A plate of biscuits and gravy was John's favorite way to start the day-a reflection of his simple grounded nature.
John worked for the local Creamery in Welcome, MN until its closure in 1975. He then moved to Bertha, MN where he continued working for the Bertha Co-operative Creamery and continued his employment until his retirement in 1994. John had a heart of gold demonstrated by his volunteer work with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America mentoring two boys from Browerville, MN.
During his time in Bertha he built lasting friendships. One of those friendships was with Betty Shriber who later became his wife. In 1999, John and Betty moved to Arizona where they spent their final years together. They enjoyed delivering meals on wheels to people and were bell ringers for the Salvation Army during the holiday season. When family learned Dad had entered hospice care, two of his children, Douglas and Vicky and son-in-law, Al made the 1,478 mile journey to Arizona in just over 22 hours. The smile on John's face when they arrived was unforgettable. In his final days, John retained his memory. His gift to gab remained strong as he spoke on the phone with son Steven, daughter Charnelle, the children's mother LaDonna, granddaughter JoDell and very special daughter-in-law Robin. These moments brought peace to John before he passed. Wife Betty and step-daughter Kim were not present when he passed. They had said their goodbyes a few days earlier.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Steven Scheff (fiancé, Cheryl Reiman), Vicky Tadd (husband Allan), Douglas Scheff (wife Robin Hoffmeyer-Scheff) and Charnelle Scheff. He is also survived by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; Granddaughter Shannon Olson (nee Scheff, formerly Gamboni) and her children, Julianna Krueger (nee Gamboni) and her daughter, Violet Krueger, Destinee Gamboni and Easton and Milo Olson; Granddaughter JoDell Rakness (husband, Chris) and their sons, Dylan and Nate; Grandson Justin Scheff and his daughter Claire; Grandson Jeremy Scheff (wife Rose) and their daughters Kimberlie and Katelyn, Derek Scheff (wife Loni) and their children, Stella, William and Paisley; Grandson Christopher Scheff (husband Michael). Also survived by wife, Betty Scheff, stepdaughters, Karen Luberts, Kim Porter Henneman and step grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Clara Scheff; brothers, George, Arthur, Raymond, Albert and Eugene Scheff; sisters, Hattie Lesch and Marie Madsen; sister-in-law, Alice Scheff; and brothers-in-law, Arlo Lesch and Laurence Madsen.
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