Marcine Scharnhorst

Marcine D. Scharnhorst, 86, of Leawood, died Saturday after a long battle with cancer.

Marcine was born March 15, 1932 on the family homestead near Plevna, Kans., to George and Alvina (Freie) Haas. Marcie, as she was known to her Kansas City friends, graduated from Plevna High School in 1950, attended St. John’s College in Winfield and Hutchinson Community College. She taught 2nd grade in Hutchinson and worked in a bank, until a friend convinced her to apply with Kansas-City-based Trans World Airlines. After a rigorous day in which she had to show her legs to prove they were stewardess-worthy, she was hired. She flew with the airline, mostly on the Lockheed Super Constellation, from 1954-1956. In 1956 she married Theodore (Ted) Scharnhorst, ending her career, as TWA did not employ married hostesses. Marcie and Ted settled in Overland Park and later Merriam, where they made good friends and entertained often. Her effortless ability to make friends followed her to their Olathe home in 1973 and to Leawood in 1996. Marcie and Ted traveled extensively, and Marcie loved her garden, pets, and family. After Ted died in 2008, she continued filling her time  with friends, family, and church.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

She is survived by brother Herb Haas; sister, Allene Gantz; daughters Debra Hartwell, Vicki Scharnhorst and Angie Scharnhorst; grandchildren Eric, Bryan and Taylor Hartwell, Lars and Linnea Emerson and Gus Scharnhorst; and great-grandson James. Service and reception following at 3:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 3rd at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, Marcie’s church home since 1954.

Contributions: to the church or to Unleashed Pet Rescue in Mission.