Memorial

Jo Ann Kathryn R. Scheer, 88, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, surrounded by her immediate family. There will be a memorial service at First Lutheran Church on Monday, October 10, 2022, at 1:00 PM, followed by a reception at the church.  

Jo was born June 15th, 1934, to Arthur and Albia Rathje on the family farm.  She attended Atkins School except for 7th and 8th grades when she attended St Stephen’s Parochial School where she was confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  Graduating from Atkins High School in 1951, she began working in Cedar Rapids as secretary for Dr Wayne Foster and Dr Carl Noe.

In February 1953, Jo married Charles Scheer at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.  Afterwards, they lived briefly in California (where they worked for Lockheed Martin) then Idaho (where they were fire rangers).  Jo and Chuck later returned to Cedar Rapids, and Jo began secretarial work at Van Meter Electric Company.  Later she was a secretary in the Square-D Sales Division, and she retired in 1957 to become a stay-at-home Mom to raise their two children – Cindy (Cyd) and Jon.

During that time, her love of working with children led her to volunteer with Head Start, become a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Camp Fire Leader and a Sunday School teacher as well as a Stephen Minister and a school aide where she helped children with reading difficulties.

Later, Jo returned to work as secretary in the Special Ed Department at Grant Wood AEA (Area Education Agency).

In 1976 her husband was severely injured in a near fatal accident, so Jo returned to home life to care for him.  As he slowly recovered, she set up a home office for Chuck’s insurance business.

Jo made an important decision in her life by enrolling at Kirkwood Community College in 1981.  After that, she earned a scholarship at Coe College and graduated from Coe in 1991 with a degree in Art History.

In later years, Jo began work at Meth-Wick Community helping several lovely people.  She did this for thirteen years over which time she made lasting friendships with the people she encountered.

Jo always loved gardening (especially tending to her roses), baking, playing bridge, oil painting and reading, including enjoying her close book club friends.  Jo was an expert seamstress creating family clothing and various handcrafted clothes during her life.

Two very important times in Jo’s life were being a “Big Sister” to a lovely girl and mentoring an African family from Rwanda.  

But the most important and happiest period for Jo was the time she spent with her family – husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jo is survived by her daughter Cyd (and Craig), son Jon (and Bonny), grandsons Cody Peterson (and Suzie) and Danny Scheer, granddaughter Mari Scheer, great grandsons Christopher, Luke, and Jerimiah.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to First Lutheran Church, Cedar Valley Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.