Benjamin Peter Wolf

Benjamin Peter Wolf was the 12th of 13 children born to Melchior Kaspar Wolf and Mary K. Strouckel on October 7, 1926, in Hillsview, South Dakota. The family moved to several locations while Benjamin was growing up including Missouri, before ending up in Oregon in the 1940s.

Benjamin enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and spent the majority of his enlistment as a crewman on the battleship USS New Jersey. During his time on the New Jersey, Benjamin spent time in both the Pacific Theatre of the War and the Atlantic Theatre of the War, with shore leave in various west coast cities, Cuba, and England.

Benjamin separated from the Navy following the war and returned to Portland, Oregon, where he worked at various jobs. He met his future wife, Helen Crahan, while they were both employed at Fiber Ware.

Benjamin and Helen were married in Portland, Oregon, on June 28, 1952 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Benjamin and Helen had six children: Delores, Daniel, Debbie, Diane, Dale, and Doreen. They resided at their home at 944 NE 155th Avenue in Portland, Oregon, from 1959 until Helen's death on October 7, 2007.

Benjamin continued to live in the home on 155th Ave until September 14, 2017, when the home was sold and he moved in with his daughter, Diane, and her husband, Roger Reints.

Benjamin helped Diane and her husband out with expenses by paying rent. Diane became Benjamin's caregiver until he became ill and entered Sunnyside Hospital on September 13, 2024. Benjamin remained in hospital until September 19, 2024, when he was transferred to hospice care.

Benjamin died peacefully in his sleep on September 21, 2024, with hospice personnel present at his passing.

Benjamin will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery, next to his wife and life mate Helen, on October 1, 2024, following a service at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home.