Former St. John, WA resident Carole Jean Scherff, 78, passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at her home in Clay Center.

Memorial services were conducted at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at the United Church of Christ in Clay Center, with Pastor Paul Knott officiating and Matt Ramsey presiding. Inurnment followed at the Clay Center Cemetery. In honoring her wish to be cremated, there was no visitation or viewing. Memorials may be directed to Clay Center Fire and Rescue, (new ambulance fund) or the St. John Historical Society. Condolences may be left at www. mclaughlinchapel.com. Carole was born April 6, 1946, in Hastings to Byron and Valda (Mack) Alberts. She grew up on a farm near Clay Center and was always a “farm girl” at heart. She graduated from Clay Center High School in 1964 and stayed close with many of her classmates, including celebrating their 60th year class reunion in May. Carole graduated from Kearney State College in 1968 and taught history for a few years at David City. Her next adventure was “enlisting” in VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and moving to Wyoming. It was there that she met Lee, who was a truck driver from Aurora at the time.

Lee and Carole were married July 8, 1972. His job with Union Pacific took them to LaGrande, OR, and Spokane and Kennewick, WA. Carole worked as a legal secretary at law firms in each location, including Seiler & Parker Law Firm in Clay Center. They retired to the small town of St. John, WA, where they both made many friends and felt like they were “home.” They moved back to Clay Center for a few years to help with their aging parents, then back again to St. John. While in St. John, Carole volunteered for many organizations in the community, but her proudest accomplishment was helping to start and expand the St. John Museum. She always looked forward to “Tavern Night” at the Rialto on Friday nights where friends would meet to enjoy good company, cold beverages, and great food. She also cherished their trips to Priest Lake with the Smith family.

Lee passed away in 2021 and Carole missed him dearly. She recently made the hard decision to move back to Clay Center to be with family and friends in Nebraska. Carole was barely getting settled into her new home when our Good Lord called her home. She had said many times that this was the last place she was moving to until she moved across the road to the cemetery.

Carole was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Byron Neal; her husband, Lee; a great-niece; and two stepgrandchildren.

Carole is survived by her beloved dog, Gracie; siblings, Linda (Bill) Ramsey; Lyle (Donna) Alberts; and Kathy (Danny) Mihm; stepchildren, Monty (Terri) Scherff, Candace Scherff, and Terri Scherff; step-grandchildren, one uncle, cousins, nephews and nieces; dear friends, Bruce and Lydia Smith of St. John, WA; and Rich and Nancy Attebury of Moscow, ID, and many more old and new friends.