Kenneth Herman Schara, 96

Published 9:54 am Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Kenneth Herman Schara, 96, of Austin, Minnesota, died Monday, April 4, 2016, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Kenneth Herman Schara, 96

He was born June 4, 1919, in Postville, Iowa, to Fred and Jenny (Schroeder) Schara. Ken attended country school and went to work in a grocery store owned by his uncle. A Hormel salesman told him there were openings at the Hormel plant, so Ken came to Austin in 1942 and began working as a laborer at the plant in 1943. He retired after working at Hormel for more than 40 years. On Nov. 27, 1943, Kenneth was united in marriage to Eva Lattin at the First United Methodist Church in Austin. They met while Ken was playing piano at the Turf Bar. The couple raised one daughter. Ken and Eva were among the original residents of Chauncey Apartments in Austin. Eva passed away in 2012. Ken was a volunteer for the Red Cross and at St. Olaf Hospital for many years and he loved music. Ken was in his family’s band, playing trumpet, violin and clarinet. Learning to play the piano by ear, he played in piano bars in the area and entertained for countless hours in local nursing homes. Ken also enjoyed fishing, following the Minnesota Twins, and most recently, Wednesday lunches with his daughter Deb.

He is survived by his daughter Deborah Marie Nordland (Roger Stahl) of Austin, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Scott (Michelle) Nordland of Pine Island, Minnesota, and Angie (George) Bailey of Lakeville, Minnesota; four great-grandchildren, Brittany (Indy) Liljevall, Roman Nordland, Kendra Bailey, Beau Bailey; and one great-great-grandson, Mitchell Liljevall.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Jenny Schara; his wife Eva Schara; four brothers and one sister.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Jeff Forbes officiating. Visitation will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.