SallyLou Patricia Scheurell

SallyLou Patricia (Clark) Scheurell, 84, of Milwaukee, WI, transitioned to the next phase of her life journey on February 3, 2024, due to natural causes. She is survived by her two daughters, Lynn M. Scheurell (Tucson) and Laura E. Scheurell (Milwaukee), and her siblings, Robert Clark, Suzanne Mais, William Clark, and Cora Clark. A celebration of life will be held on March 23, 2024.

To summarize a big life in just a few words is challenging. Sally did things her way and helped others to do it the “right” way too. She raised her family, pursued her interests, and threw herself with vigor and humor into every moment. She was the embodiment of common sense smarts meshed with grit that gave her a unique strength and independence.

From humble farm roots caring for her siblings in Hancock, WI, to college life in Stevens Point, WI, where she met her husband, Robert, to big city adventures in Milwaukee, WI, to lazy lakeside cottage summers at Witter Lake, WI, Sally lived with a fierce zest in everything she chose to do. One of her first passions was sewing, which eventually led to designing and then making elaborate ballroom dance costumes. As a ballroom dancer, she enjoyed learning new steps to become one with music, eventually taking #1 nationally for her novelty act.

Sally got her college degree in Home Economics, which she used in various ways – from helping run the St. Benedict’s soup kitchen to the St. Mark’s Strawberry Fair to pancake breakfasts, cooking never-ending family feasts and baking enough Christmas cookies to feed hundreds of people annually. When you were around Sally, you did not go hungry.

As a young mother, she got into bowling (practically a requisite of life in Milwaukee). She was active in the PTA, Girl Scouts, and became an Avon lady, which led to many friends. Joyce Sherman and Sally got into trouble as often as they could, laughing uncontrollably as they figured out how to get out of their messes. Together, they and Charlene Welling got creative in bringing a vision to life - a costume for one of them to become Big Bird, a huge hit with local pre-schoolers.

Country music was a big part of Sally’s life. Sally toured with FanFare, hobnobbing with Nashville stars like Charlie Daniels and Alan Jackson, as well as visiting Dollywood, exploring Memphis, and seeing shows in Branson, MO. In fact, when Sally passed, she was listening to Johnny Cash sing "Ring of Fire".

Family was a priority for Sally, starting with her parents, Ronald and Ivy (Humphrey) Clark. While her father worked the paper mill and her mother ran the farm, Sally ran the house and took care of her siblings. She loved animals, having several beloved pets over her lifetime. Sally spearheaded family reunions and gatherings, loved to visit with relatives and swap stories, and co-wrote The Humphrey Headache newsletter for several years.

She made a positive difference in the world around her. She volunteered with the Blood Bank and the PTA, organized the Hartford Avenue Fun Fair for grade schoolers, and started the church thrift store, a big undertaking at the time. Sally took in family who needed help without asking questions—she saw it as her responsibility in being the family matriarch to keep everyone safe.

Sally collected, well, everything. Her house was full of family mementos and her treasures, which she generously shared along the way. After her passing, among her papers, there were numerous notes of thanks from people for her help with their cell bill, rent, presents, and even uncashed checks… she gave to others while knowing she would do without because she loved hard.

There aren’t many who come as old-school tough as Sally—she figured out how to keep going despite the odds. She knew how to whip things into shape and make things happen. She believed in working and playing hard, taking time to appreciate the smaller things in life. With an infectious laugh, Sally’s sense of humor often had people in stitches until tears.

When you remember Sally, think of her can-do spirit and enthusiasm for life, how action makes love real, and what you can do for others with what you’ve got… because, in the end, we are all just walking each other home.

For the Celebration of Life information, please email: super3stitch@aol.com, and the location and time will be sent to you.