Joanne K. Wolf

Child of God

Daughter of Wanda and Rudy

Wife of Sam

Mother of Patti and Mark

Grandmother of Lori, Ryan, Margi, and Elissa

Great-Grandmother of Landon and Huxton

Sister to Tommy

Joanne Wolf (90) of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2020. She was born on August 7, 1930 in Seguin, Texas.

Joanne graduated from Seguin High School in 1947. After high school, she began working as a bookkeeper at the San Antonio Stock Yards and retired as the Office Manager of the Texas Livestock Marketing Association.

Joanne was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church, near downtown San Antonio, until its closure, where she taught Sunday School for over 20 years. She, and husband Sam, then joined Abiding Presence Lutheran Church where they worshipped every Sunday until declining health precluded their attendance.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Wanda (Kurre) and Rudolph Klein and her brother Tommy (Irene) Klein. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Sam; daughter Patti (Glenn) Woelfel and son Mark (Kim) Wolf. Also, grandchildren Lori (Matthew Malatesta) Woelfel, Ryan (Elisse) Woelfel, Margi (Armando) Baylon, and Elissa Wolf; great-grandchildren Landon and Huxton Woelfel; and nieces Terri (Gary) Filipski and Donna (Dale) Biggs; and numerous other family members.

Prince Solms of Germany established a community, including the Klein family (Joanne's ancestors), in New Braunfels, TX, circa 1845. The Klein's lived in Marion and Seguin before they finally moved to San Antonio.

Sam, having grown up in San Antonio, reserved a table for 12 every Saturday night for his calf-roping buddies from the rodeo. One night Joanne arrived with Sam's buddy, and by the next weekend, Sam & Joanne were dancing and dating. They frequented establishments such as the Two Sisters Bar, Pig Stand, and Tunie's. Sam & Joanne married on January 25, 1952.

Joanne was the frugal one and saved dimes to travel with her family on beach vacations. Sam said that if it wasn't for her, they wouldn't have a dime to their name. He also tells the story about her job at the San Antonio Stockyards (she worked at Texas Livestock Marketing Association for 38 years), where Governor Dolph Briscoe was so trusting of her financial prowess that he provided them the ability to attend many special events.

Sam & Joanne raised their children, Patti and Mark, in the 50’s and 60’s with the power of God and love of family. Patti and Glenn met in college and were married in 1970 at Zion Lutheran Church. Granny & Paw-Paw, as Joanne and Sam are known to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were lifetime members of Zion Lutheran Church. Granny taught Sunday School to her oldest grandkids (Lori & Ryan) in the 70’s and 80’s when they visited the church, and Paw-Paw was the congregational president for many years until the church closed. They spent many holiday, birthday, and anniversary celebrations with her brother Tommy’s family, and their children and grandchildren grew up together attending the same schools until college.

In 1984, Sam and Joanne traveled to the Holy Lands. They waded in the Dead Sea, saw the temples and the wailing wall, and finished the trip in Germany attending the passion play, Oberammergau. A once in a lifetime trip! They also frequently traveled across the country for Sam’s many conventions via his role as Chief of the Investigation Division for the San Antonio Independent School District. After they both retired, they continued to travel around the country, taking the opportunity to visit family while seeing the sights and making new friends.

Mark and Kim married in 1985, and Granny and Paw-Paw’s new grandchildren (Margi & Elissa) arrived in the 90’s. Their home on Ridgepark became Margi and Elissa's after school day care for over a decade. Ryan and Elisse married in 2000, and the great-grandchildren (Landon & Huxton) arrived later that decade and early 2010’s. Lori and Matt met in late 2000’s, and visited Texas at every opportunity from Washington, DC.

Sam and Joanne sold their house after moving into Franklin Park Independent Living several years ago. While there, Joanne frequently played bingo, and Sam took on the role as president of the residents' association. They both loved visiting at mealtimes with their new friends and enjoyed many opportunities to share celebrations with friends and family.

Granny’s collection of Santa Claus figures and bells acquired through numerous travels was always displayed at Christmastime. As Christmas is fast approaching, we know that both the Lord and Joanne (Granny to us all) are smiling down on those of us left to cherish her memory. She is at peace, and we can rest easy knowing that His arms are wrapped around her in eternal love.