Vale Michael Wolkow

Who knew such a little guy could teach us so much about life? The world lost someone special on November 5, 2019 with the tragic loss of Vale Michael Wolkow who had just celebrated his sixth birthday in early October.

The son of Adam and Kyra (Schuchard) Wolkow was born on October 8, 2013 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD. He joined siblings, Oakley, Aspen and Brecken Wolkow who welcomed him with open arms and loving hearts. Vale learned soon to return that love as he grew and enjoyed tackling all new experiences with a zest for life and tremendous energy. He enjoyed being taken care of by his big sister Aspen when he was little and joined right in when wrestling with his older brothers Oakley and Brecken. Vale was full of energy, loving to climb higher throughout life. Whether in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the foothill and mountains of Colorado or the seats of Grandma’s car while waiting for the older kids to get out of school, Vale always reached for more. He enjoyed cheering for Oakley in wrestling, Aspen in Gymnastics and Brecken in Soccer and most recently watching their baseball games. Vale joined a soccer club himself when it was finally his turn to be able to participate. He loved the outdoors and being active with his family. He enjoyed everything and anything with wheels, playing with and lining up in a row all his toy cars and trucks. Graduating onto bikes, he loved his new mountain bike and would often tackle bigger bikes, jumping up onto the seat as it was rolling when they were too tall for him but riding them anyway. There wasn't a challenge he would not try.

Vale absolutely loved his many neighborhood friends and caring neighborhood. Vale made a point to get to know his sibling’s friends and they gladly included him in the constant activity and imaginative games that were part of everyday life. He generously shared his contagious smile that quickly became known by everyone throughout his neighborhood. The nearby park and fishing pond were very special places to Vale. He treasured being with family and friends at the park and pond where his imagination was on full display, as vivid as his colorful and always pulled up socks, continually discovering, loving and dreaming big.

In November of 2017, he was the ring bearer in his aunt Danyel's wedding, confidently carrying a sign that read, “I’m still single ladies”. Over the years, he enjoyed his family's creativity with costumes when trick or treating, and was a monkey twice, Scooby Doo, and this past year, a real ninja with "Fangs". At the end of September, the entire family enjoyed a week in Hawaii together at a friend's home where they all had fun swimming, exploring jungles, and jumping into secluded pools where he joined right in and kept up with everyone. He also had fun playing in the sand, swimming in the ocean and questioned the habits of the little creatures crawling on the beach. In August, he began kindergarten at Lopez elementary and soon became the kid everyone wanted to: be around; play with; and sit by at lunch. His magnetic and energetic personality became evident, soon after meeting him. On his first day of school, an afternoon hug from his big brother Brecken, helped ease the transition as being soft hearted, he missed his family. He had a sweet and loving nature, was kind and loved life to the fullest. He brought a smile to everyone who knew him and was the cherished baby of the family who had no trouble trying to keep up with everyone. "The absolute, coolest kid ever" it's been said of him along with so many other accolades of his personality over the years by those who knew him. "What's up, Buttercup" was how he greeted his babysitter often with his fun-loving nature, being raised in a family who enjoyed the humor in things and having fun. In July of 2018, Vale moved from Watertown, SD to Fort Collins, CO. with his family. Hiking and camping were family activities in their Colorado life and his new mountain bike was just getting broken in. Everyone who met Vale came to love him, his siblings' friends, his parents and grandparents friends, and of course his family who cherished him. He was a bright light in their lives until his life was taken in a crosswalk on his way to school.

Cherishing his memory are: parents, Adam and Kyra Wolkow; two brothers, Oakley and Brecken; one sister, Aspen; grandparents, Lynnette and Justin Ingalls, Randy and Susi Schuchard and Gary and Judy Wolkow; aunts and uncles, Tana and Jason Reihe, Danyel and Zach Beckman, Calli Henley, Jay Wolkow and Dave Wolkow; great grandparents, Evelyn Wolkow, Beverly David, and Rene Lightfoot and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his great grandfather, Charlie Lightfoot and great uncle Todd Schuchard.

Celebration of Life will be held 11:00am Saturday, November 9, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, 531 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO, with live streaming available at https://firstpresfc.org.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Lopez Elementary PTA, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80526.