Dale “Barney” Leroy Scharn was born on January 29, 1936, to Leonard Ernest and Elsbeth (Ehmann) Scharn on the family farm just north of Lytton, IA. He lived on this farm his entire life. Dale passed away on February 10, 2025, at the age of 89, at Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA.
Dale was baptized on March 8, 1936, and later confirmed in April of 1950 at Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton, where he remained a life-long member. He graduated from Lytton High School in 1954. In January of 1958 he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany as a clerk typist. After a military truck accident, Dale was honorably discharged in January of 1960.
Dale met his wife, JoAnne Marie Ackerman, on the dance floor in Fort Dodge, IA. On the 26th of November, 1966, they were married in Burt, IA. After their marriage, they lived on the family farm and took over the farming operation. They were blessed with two daughters, Teresa and Tonya.
Dale’s life focused on the four “F’s”: Faith, Farming, Family and Fun (including fishing).
Faith - Dale always put God first and was a wonderful example to his family, regularly praying and serving many roles in the church over the years including serving as a trustee, deacon and on the cemetery committee. He was a fixture in the pew on Sundays.
Family - Dale’s girls always knew they were loved. He gave the best hugs usually followed with a kiss, and supported his family whole-heartedly. When his daughters were in school he often made breakfast for them and drove them to school every morning. He loved spending time with his grandchildren Reef and Abby, whether that was playing games, fishing, trap shooting or gardening and sharing time together on the farm. Dale also built a special bond with his nephew, Randy Scharn, who currently farms the land.
Farming - Dale was a successful lifelong farmer and lived on his family farm his entire life. The farm became a century farm in 2011. Dale raised grain and livestock focusing on hogs when he took over the farm. He enjoyed spending many years on the Calhoun County Pork Producers committee. In retirement, he continued to garden with his wife and grow many fruits and vegetables. Once a farmer, always a farmer.
Fun - Dale was the person in the group who always had an infectious smile, found joy in every moment and could talk to anyone. Over the years, Dale enjoyed many hobbies. He loved playing and watching basketball. After high school, he continued to play basketball on a travel team. He loved dancing (his feet were smooth on the dance floor) and he and JoAnne continued to dance as long as they could. For many years, Dale was part of a bowling league and trap-shooting club in Sac City. He looked forward to pheasant hunting and deer hunting every year. Dale enjoyed cooking, grilling, smoking meat and making wine, which he shared with others. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards and watching the Hawkeyes. In retirement, Dale and JoAnne spent many winters in Bullhead City, AZ, where they had a lot of fun and built special bonds with new friends. While Dale was tall in stature, he was a warm and thoughtful man.
Dale is survived by his wife, JoAnne (Ackerman) Scharn; daughters Teresa Scharn (Wendell Crosser) and Tonya (Chad) Lankford; grandchildren Reef and Abigail Lankford; step-grandchildren Bryan (Ashley) Crosser and Adam Crosser; step-great-grandchildren William and Elena Crosser; stepsisters Karen Hurd and Linda (Ron) Owen; sisters-in-law Janet Gilliland and Nancy Fry (Emil) Dvorak; and brother-in-law Eulan Schuller; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Elsbeth (Ehmann) Scharn; stepmother Ruby (Falline) Scharn; parents-in-law Earl and Grace Ackerman; brothers Edward (Evelyn) Scharn and Delmar (Mary) Scharn; sister-in-law Shirley (Norm) Moore; brother-in-law Stephen Fry; stepbrothers Roger and Lowell Falline; stepsister Marilyn Gubbels; and nephew Kevin Scharn.
