Nelia E. Scherer, age 86, of Kenosha, WI passed away quietly on August 27, 2024. She was surrounded by family members throughout her final hours. She was born in Manila on the Island of Luzon in the Republic of the Philippines on January 6, 1938. She was the daughter of the late Vidasto Evea and Marsiala Zarsadias Evea.
Nelia, her sister, Norma, and brother, Billy were brought up in Manila and Olongapo during World War II. She shared stories of having to run and hide in caves up in the mountains when the Japanese planes would bomb the cities and villages. Her father and two of her uncles fought beside the American troops in reclaiming their country from the occupying forces. Her father taught self-defense and was once offered American citizenship for his aid to the US Navy; one uncle died in the jungles fighting the Japanese; and one became an interpreter for General Douglas MacArthur’s staff. After the war Nelia, Norma and their mother opened a seamstress/tailor shop. Nelia and Norma were featured in Manila newspaper articles for dresses they fashioned out of newspaper.
Nelia met her husband of 63 years, Harold, while he was stationed at the Subic Bay Naval Station. On May 28, 1958, they became to first American/Filipino couple to be officially married at the Naval Base Chapel. Harold and Nelia decided that a life in the Navy would present too many obstacles to raising a family and moved to the Midwest after his tour of duty ended. After moving to different jobs and locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the young couple settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Harold had a great career with American Motors while Neila managed the operation of their family laundromat: H&N Laundry. On top of that, Nelia oversaw the daily operations of the household. Ensuring their four growing boys were fed, knees bandaged, homework completed, and instilling in each a strong work ethic was a full-time job.
Nelia was proud to have attained her American citizenship, US High School Diploma, and an associate’s degree by attending night courses at Gateway Technical College. Throughout her life, Nelia loved her vegetable garden and her flower beds. For many years she canned and froze vegetables from her two-acre garden. In addition to becoming an incredible self-taught cook of Filipino and American foods, Nelia became a baker renown for her breads and doughnuts. After retirement, Nelia worked part-time making beautiful floral arrangements which were seen at many local weddings in the eighties and nineties. Most of the fresh flowers were selected from her extensive flower garden. Ever the entrepreneur, Nelia started a jewelry business with pieces she designed, made, and sold at local craft venues. Nelia took up watercolor painting to illustrate important events in the lives of her loved ones, to share the beauty of the flowers she loved, and to capture the memory of the birds who visited her floral bouquets.
Nelia is survived by her four sons: Douglas (Charlene) Scherer, David (Rachel) Scherer, Duwayne (Sue) Scherer, and Dean (Sherry) Scherer; 10 grandchildren, Donovan Scherer, Daniel Scherer, Kristina Morquecho, Monica Morquecho, Melissa (Josh) White, Courtney (Greg) Renaud, Kelsey (Andrew) Severson, Kylie (Jake) Birch, Matt Scherer and Nick Scherer; 7 great-grandchildren, Kevin, Nathan, Gabriella, Roman, Amellia, Auden, Emerson, and Mila; cousins and many nieces and nephews. Nelia was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents, Vidasto Evea and Marsiala Zarsadias; uncle, Chu Mata Ling Zarsadias; sister, Norma Coburn, and brother, Billy Evea; and her many close friends.
A visitation will be held at Kenosha Funeral Services on Thursday September 5, 2024 from 9:00AM-11:00AM with funeral services to follow immediately at 11:00AM, burial will be held at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.
