Joan S. Scharlau, May 2, 1938 - July 20, 2024.  Joan was born at home on the family farm in rural Elk Mound (parents, Arthur and Laura Hohlbein Scharlau).  She attended first and second grades at a country school (Sinking Creek—located several miles south of Colfax).  She graduated from Colfax High School in 1955 and began working immediately for Martin Anderson, long-time superintendent of the Colfax School District.  She was later employed in Personnel Services at UW-Stout and Administrative Program Specialist at UW-Eau Claire.

Joan served on the first committee for the Municipal Building Restoration project.  She wrote several grant proposals as well as applying for the Wisconsin Historical Society designation.  She belonged to Colfax Lutheran Church, W-ELCA, and the Senior Center.  She enjoyed bowling, dancing and playing "500."

Joan is survived by one sister, Carol Stuckert and 17 nieces and nephews—John and Randy Iverson; Orv (Kathy), Len (Rita), and Lee (Holly) Scharlau; Mike (Rose), and Gail Scharlau (Jim Burns), Jill (Dennis) Smith, Diane (Tom) Govin, and Anita Scharlau (Tom Steuck); Laura (Craig) Coots, Ray (Sonya) Brockman, Julie Hinson, David (Carol) and Jason Brockman; Jim (Trudy) Huber, Linda (Ken) Burgraf, Brenda (Steve) Johnson and Don (Jeanne) Stuckert.

She is predeceased by her parents, brothers Arthur (Ida Isakson) and Gerald (Gay Larson) and sisters Ethel (Harold Hendrickson), Irma (Earl Iverson), Delores (James Huber), Eleanor (Bud Brockman) Mary; Susan Iverson and Greg Huber.

A funeral is arranged for Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Colfax Lutheran Church.  Visitation scheduled 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Sampson Funeral Home in Colfax, WI is assisting the family.