Investing in Our Future

We are grateful for Oconomowoc visionaries Hilbert N. Scherffius (1909-1997) and George A. Markham (1916-2009) for creating lasting legacies through the OAF that will support our community for generations to come.

Each year, the Hilbert N. Scherffius Fund supports three $12,000 scholarships to Oconomowoc area high school seniors seeking to pursue their dreams of attending college.

Hilbert lived in Oconomowoc for most of his life and was owner and operator of Lorleberg’s True Value Hardware, a business established in 1870 by his great uncle, Hugo Lorleberg. Hilbert started at the store in the early 1930s and became its manager in 1947. The long-standing Oconomowoc store celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2020.

“Scherf” as friends call him, had a reputation for always helping local schools, youth groups, and charitable causes. He left his estate to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and his legacy of hometown support continues through a charitable fund focused on community needs administered through the Oconomowoc Area Foundation.

The George A. Markham Memorial Fund Award supports Oconomowoc students pursuing a degree in the arts with a $5,000 scholarship each year. His legacy of living large and giving back to his community continues to live on through the Oconomowoc Area Foundation.

George grew up in the Oconomowoc area during a time when farmers plowed with horses and local fox hunters were once called upon to track down a marauding wolf. He attended Summit School, Milwaukee Country Day School, Deerfield Academy, and the University of Virginia.

As a young man, George lived large, excelling at horseback riding, track and field events, ice-skating, and ski-jumping. As the U.S. was swept into war, George left college to join the US Navy and trained as a naval aviator. In 1942, he was assigned to the Pacific Theater and flew in the critical battles of Coral Sea and Midway. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

George was a Rotarian for more than 55 years and twice served as District Governor. He also participated in Village of Oconomowoc Lake issues and stayed informed on national and international topics.

Supporting Oconomowoc students in this way is made possible through a wonderful, longtime partnership with the Oconomowoc Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit www.oconomowocscholarshipfund.org.

We’re also honored to share that OAF Founding Members Dirk and Terry Debbink and Richard and Karen Bertrand also support four additional scholarships to Oconomowoc students seeking higher education, totaling $48,000 each year.