Maria Wolfe

On Friday October 20, 2006 Mary Wolfe, widow of John Wolfe, died at the age of 93 years with her family at her side. Mary was born on December 24, 1912 to Karl & Katherine Hoffman in the Josephsburg district 12 miles northeast of Grenfell. On April 20, 1937 Mary was united in marriage to John Wolfe. They were blessed with three children, Ruth, Lloyd and Bette Ann. John was active in business owning and operating Wolfe’s Garage, the cattle and milk transports, and farming. Mary was a homemaker and also ran the Grenfell Esso Restaurant from 1965 to 1971. For many years John and Mary enjoyed square dancing with the Grenfell Club. They also traveled to many surrounding communities to participate in this sociable pastime. In 1958 they built a cabin at Grenfell Beach, Crooked Lake. In 1986 they moved across the lake, purchasing a different cabin near Melville Beach. John & Mary enjoyed nothing more than spending time at the lake with their family and friends. After John retired from the business in the fall of 1978 they also enjoyed touring around Saskatchewan and other western provinces in their motorhome.

Mary always had a love of the outdoors and gardening. From spring through fall she could be found in her yard tending the garden and all of her beautiful flowers. Her green thumb extended to houseplants as well. Their home was filled with plants of all kinds.

Mary often won prizes at the local Fall Fair for these plants, especially the African violet, which was one of her favorites. The family has always said that Mom could make anything grow.

Mary also excelled at many different crafts from crocheting and knitting to ceramics, macramé, liquid embroidery, sewing, dried flower arranging, and wheat weaving. Many of her beautiful wheat weavings were given or purchased and have made there way around the country. Her hands were never idle, as she knit or crocheted while watching television or traveling in the car or motorhome.

The church and her faith were always very important to Mary. She was an active supporter of the United Church Women and later the Trinity Presbyterian Women. At the Spring and Fall Church Teas Mary could always be found running the craft table where she sold many of her plants and crafts. She supported all of the community events from music and dance recitals, to ecumenical church services, and birthday teas. She was also very up to date on politics and current affairs whether locally in Grenfell, or provincial or federal.

Mary enjoyed good health until her passing. She was living in her own home and was still driving her red Explorer around town.

Mary was predeceased by her husband John in 1996; her parents Karl and Katherine Hoffman; son-in-law Bryce Green; brother Jack Hoffman and sister Elizabeth Krembil. She is survived by her children: daughter Ruth (Edgar) Swallow, Grenfell, Sask. and their family Celeste (Neil) Lamberty and their children Melanie, Megan and Manda; Lyle (Nicole) Swallow and their children Ashlee and Reagan; Wendy (Darcy) Gettel and their children Erin and Shaun; Paula (Brian) Mills and their children Kelsey and Breanna; son Lloyd (Cecille) Wolfe, Balgonie, Sask. and their family Lindsay (Ken) Weger and their children Destin and Ethan; and daughter Bette Ann Green (Barrie Belles) and her daughter Andrea (Tim) Hansen; one sister Tillie Schlamp, Grenfell; two brothers Philip (Minnie) Hoffman, Grenfell and Carl (Lyn) Hoffman Toronto, Ont; brother-in-law and sister- in- law George and Edith Urschel; sisters-in-law Alice Wolfe, Edith Wolfe, Clara Wolfe and Hilda Lerner; as well as her nieces and nephews.

Don’t grieve for me—I am free,

I am following the path God laid for me.

I took His call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, to play.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy;

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

All these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me.

God wanted me now---He set me free.

The service celebrating Mary’s life was held Thursday October 26th, 2006 in Trinity Presbyterian Church, Grenfell, Sask. Officiant: Rev. Jonathan Kwon. Donations may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church or to a charity of choice.

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Laurie Rey of Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services, Wolseley, Saskatchewan, Canada, 1-800-667-8962.