Tillie Marie Scharnberg

Tillie Marie (Blanken van der Veer) Scharnberg, 87 of Floodwood passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 in Duluth. Tillie was born on June 29, 1932 in Geddes, South Dakota, the oldest child of Dutch immigrants, John and Grace Blanken van der Veer. She moved to Minnesota as a young girl and graduated from Toivola High School in 1950. After moving to Floodwood, she committed her life to Christ and married Rev. Robert Scharnberg on September 28, 1955. They had 6 children over the next 13 years. She fit the description of a virtuous and devoted wife (as described in Proverbs 31:10-31), always supportive of her husband and his ministry (at Floodwood Assemblies of God Church from 1952 to 1991) as well as their children.

Though life was busy, Tillie demonstrated her gift of hospitality by striving to make her home one that welcomed visitors at any time - family, friends and strangers alike. She was always ready to offer coffee and homemade goodies, including her yummy chocolate chip cookies, wonderful pies, delicious brown bread and sweet jams. She was an avid gardener and her kindness was as beautiful as the flowers she loved. She provided for her family with homegrown vegetables and berries. Tillie enjoyed handwork such as crocheting and embroidery, reading, refinishing furniture, and playing the board game Wahoo with family and friends. She loved watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren play hometown sports and she followed the Minnesota Timberwolves, Twins, and Vikings.

Tillie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2012; her sister, Ada Nelson; and her brother, Peter B. van der Veer.

She is survived and will be dearly missed by her 6 children, Kevin (Carol) Scharnberg and Ruth (Tod) Autio, both of Floodwood, Julie (Dewey) Linski of Duluth, Sue (Rob) Ross, Debbie (Dave) Forry, and Jonathan (Karen) Scharnberg, all of Florida; her sister, Marie Dahlman of Hoyt Lakes; 18 grandchildren, Ben (Kelsey) Scharnberg, Erika (Steven) Lyke, Sara (Michael) Naggatz, Kimberly (Tim) Key, Brett, Craig and Cami Linski, Daniel (Julie Forconi) Autio, Cheryl (Quinn) Arro, Alissa (Andrew) Karpik, all of Minnesota; Kari Scharnberg of Chicago; Michelle (Brad) Odom, Brian (Nicole) and Evan Ross (Maureen McElroy), Kaitlyn (Luke) Haggerty, Jenna Forry, and Joshua and Zachery Scharnberg, all of Florida; and 9 great-grandchildren, Damien, Avery, Aussie, Cam, Maizie, Blake, Cash, Palmer and Caroline.

Due to current Coronavirus guidelines, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Forest Hill Cemetery, Van Buren Township. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Geneva Christian Center for youth scholarships or Floodwood Dollars for Scholars. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com