Kathie Scharn

May 26, 1945 - January 17, 2018

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7 Mary Kathryn "Kathie" Scharn, age72, of Conway, AR, went to her eternal home, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Kathie was born on May 26, 1945, at Stewart Memorial Hospital in Lake City, IA, to Kearney and Nina (Miller) Gallentine. She was welcomed home by her sister Judy, and later, her brother Duane was born. She grew up on a farm near Gowrie, Iowa, enjoying the simple farm life, helping with chores and gardening. Faith was the foundation of her life. Growing up, she attended the Church of the Brethren in Slifer, Iowa, and graduated from Gowrie High School in 1963. April 12, 1969, Kathie was united in marriage to the love of her life, Verlyn Scharn in Omaha, NE. He was blessed and delighted to become a father and welcomed her two children Greg and Jackie, ages 4 and 2. In June 1970, their daughter Kristine was born. They made their home in Omaha, NE where Verlyn was working. In October 1975, Kathie accepted Christ as her personal Savior, and was baptized by immersion at Fellowship Baptist Church in Omaha. In 1995, Verlyn's work took them to Conway, AR. It wasn't long until they became members of Fellowship Bible Church. Kathie was active with the Samaritan's Purse "Operation Christmas Child", packing shoe boxes to be sent to those in need. She was a gracious host and co-leader with Verlyn for their Home Church Group, called "Ambassador's", and she attended Women's Bible Study. Kathie will be remembered for her generous heart, helping others, providing lunches for those in need due to illness, post-surgery and elderly shut in's. Her faith and family has always been the center of her life, and reaching out to others to share the word of God. She was an excellent cook, and provided meals for the IFO "International Friendship Outreach" to foreign students enrolled in local colleges. Kathie, Verlyn and their children enjoyed many years vacationing near Park Rapids, MN, on Upper and Lower Bottle Lakes, enjoying fishing and spending time with family at Whippoorwill Resort. They made many lifelong friends and always looked forward to this annual trip. She loved flowers, gardening, canning and generously shared the fruits, vegetables and jams with others. To say that she is loved seems so inadequate. From the words of her daughter, "For me, my Mom has been my rock. She loved me unconditionally, never judged me, and continually encouraged me. She prayed for me diligently my entire life. Without her love and unexplainable support, I would not be the person I am today. She was the perfect example of how a wife is to love her husband. She is a cherished Grandma to all her Grandkids and Great-grandchildren. The lives she has touched through family, friends, and service to others�I couldn't begin to explain how much she means to so many. We will hold her in our hearts forever." Survivors include her husband, Verlyn Scharn; son Greg (Alexa) Scharn of Pineville, NC; daughters Jackie (Joe) Pleskac of Conway, and Kristine (Randy) McAllister of Conway; 10 grandchildren: Brandon, Justin, Brittany, Mikaila, Kara, Jacob, Dallas, Ty, Guy and Alyssa; and 4 great-grandchildren: Aleahanna, Aidryan, Brecklyn and Bentley. Other survivors include her sister Judy (Jerry) Pierce of Glen Allen, Virginia; brother Duane (Sandra) Gallentine of Luck, WI; brother-in-law: Allen (Nicki) Scharn of Arlington, MN; sister-in-law: Marilyn (Rick) Dettmann of Sac City, IA; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of friends. Kathie was preceded in death by her parents, Kearney and Nina Gallentine. A memorial service to celebrate Kathie's life is scheduled for 11:00am January 27th at Fellowship Bible Church 1051 Hogan Lane, Conway, AR. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to The Go Store, a ministry associated with Operation Christmas Child.