Rosemarie “Ree” Scherf, 83, of New Kensington died Thursday at the Good Samaritan Hospice, Cabot, surrounded by her loving family.

Born Aug. 29, 1927, in New Kensington, she was the daughter of Carl E. and L. Rose Godfrey Johnson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth C. Scherf Sr., on April 13, 2004; and by a brother, Raymond H. Johnson.

Rosemarie attended and graduated from Ken High in New Kensington in 1945.

Following graduation, she was a clerk for the Prudential Insurance Co. for 14 months. For 19 years, she worked for Sarah Coventry Jewelry, selling jewelry and as a manager, hiring and training others. She worked part time for Drs. Scheid/Leydig/Heister for about six years as an office assistant and also for Dr. Gregory Bittner. She also sold real estate in Butler and Delmont.

She did volunteer work at Citizens General Hospital in the “Little Shop” for several years and enjoyed working with the Sherwood Forest Small Friars.

As an active member of the First United Methodist Church in New Kensington, she was a past member of the administrative counsel, had organized the “Helping Hands” for that church and was past chairman of the spring bazaar.

She was also active in crafts groups and senior citizens groups.

She was very active in arranging and organizing her class reunions and was in charge of keeping a record of all class members.

She was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing the fruits of her labor with family, friends, neighbors and anyone who might enjoy them. She also enjoyed reading, especially mysteries, and loved to do crossword puzzles.

She is survived by two daughters, Sandra “Sandy” (Robert) Ekas Sr. of Cabot and Cheryl (James) Cline of Arnold; two sons, Kenneth “KC” (Kristen) Scherf Jr. of Byesville, Ohio, and Bradford “Brad” (JoAnn) Scherf of New Kensington; four grandchildren, Julie (Aaron) Shearer of Saxonburg, Robert “Rob” (Nikki) Ekas Jr. of Butler, Morgan (Simeon) Bonnell of Lore City, Ohio, and Jeremy (fiance Alicia) Scherf of New Concordia, Ohio; five great-grandchildren, Abbey Shearer of Saxonburg, Alex Ekas of Butler, Bayleigh Albitrain of New Concord, Ohio, and expected twins Lily and Nora Bonnell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

<B>SCHERF</B> — Family and friends of Rosemarie “Ree” Scherf, who died Thursday, April 14, 2011, will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Joseph J. Cardaro Funeral Home</B>, 1125 Kenneth Ave., New Kensington. A funeral service will be at the funeral home Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bramwell Kjellgren, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Lower Burrell.For more information, visit www.cardarofuneralhome.com.