Edward Arthur Scherer, better known as Art Scherer, entered into rest with our Lord on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Our father was born on June 30, 1932, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Edward, a typesetter and Margaret (Duff) Scherer, a homemaker and a firm Baptist. Dad graduated from Oak Park High School in 1950. He was the football team captain and he also ran track.

He went onto college at Illinois Institute of Technology and majored in Industrial Design until he enlisted in 1955. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 based in Germany. On Aug. 22, 1953, Dad married the love of his life, our mother Audrey Irish. In 1960, Dad and Mom moved to Mason City, Iowa, where they became franchise owner/operators of a McDonald’s restaurant. Dad and Mom raised five wonderful children while building an empire of McDonald’s and traveling the country. But nothing was more important to him than his family. He relished his role as husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Dad and Mom always made time for the family and as a result many business trips were converted into family vacations. Mom struggled with cancer for several years and passed away on Jan. 4, 1989. Eight McDonald’s and 43 years later (2002), Dad retired from the family business.

Dad was a very lucky man in the love category. He fell in love with another wonderful woman, Kay Talbut, who he met on a blind date in Naples, Florida. Dad and Kay were married on Nov. 17, 1991. Kay fit right in with our family and is the best addition any of us could have asked for. In their 24 years of marriage they have traveled to Turkey, Germany, Asia, Greece and the Caribbean Islands. Their marriage proved to be one of great love, memories, and many challenges.

Our father had many things he had a passion for. One was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Another was his love for painting. Many of his masterpieces were done when they were in Florida. Dad has shared his paintings with many friends and family. Fishing was another hobby that Dad loved. As we grew up, we remember all the fishing trips he would take with friends.  When he would return he would clean the fish in the house and of course the smell of fish filled the house and some of us liked it and some of us didn’t.

Other things that our father enjoyed was playing tennis, hunting with the boys, spending hours in his flower gardens, spending time at Clear Lake with family, hosting dinner parties, and spending time at the Austin Country Club with friends and family.

Even though our father was very dedicated to his work, Dad always found time to give back to the community through organizations.  Dad served as president of the Mason City Jaycees, chaired “Celebration Austin,” was president of the Miss Minnesota Pageant, and was a board president at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Dad also was a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, The Development Corporation of Austin, the Rotary Club and Lions Club. Dad sponsored the Rotary’s D.A.R.E. Bike-A-Thon for many years and was one of the founding members of the Chamber’s 100 Club which raises money for Christmas decorations. Dad was also active within the McDonald’s Corporation, serving as president of both regional and national advertising cooperatives and as a director on the Ronald McDonald House Board. In October 2005, our father was honored with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” which recognizes outstanding business success and service to the community.

Survivors include: his wife Kay Scherer, Austin, Minnesota; five children: Lori (Kerry “Pete”) Hall, Austin, Minnesota, Scott (JeriAnn) Scherer, Crescent City, California, Nancy (Larry) Carroll, Mason City, Iowa, David (Linda) Scherer, Naples, Florida, and Dana (Pete) Hass, West Salem, Wisconsin; stepson: John (Beth) Pfeiffer, Temperance, Michigan; grandchildren: Nathan (Sara) Wradislavsky, Adam Wradislavsky (Cristina Melchor), Nathan Dorsey, Nicole (Alan) Bechstein, Stephanie Carroll, Melanie Carroll, Brandon (Leslie) Scherer, Colton Scherer, Colin Hass, Carissa Hass, Laura Pfeiffer and Henry Pfeiffer; great-grandchildren: Adyson, Wesley and Abby Wradislavsky, Alysha Dorsey, Isaac and Elliott Scherer; nieces and nephews.

Dad was met in Heaven by his parents, Edward and Margaret Scherer; his first wife of 36 years, Audrey Scherer; his sister Betty Wells and her husband Frank; and a great-granddaughter Payton Wradislavsky.

Memorials may be designated to the Ronald McDonald House or Westminster Presbyterian Church.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Olmsted officiating. Visitation will be at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday morning.