2/5/1916 – 7/3/2015
We mourn the death but celebrate the life of Wilma H. Wolf, 99. She was preceded in death by husband Wendell I. Wolf and brother, Glenn D. Hopkins.
Wilma was born to Paul and May Hopkins, in a log ranch house, near Saratoga, during a Wyoming blizzard. Challenged by confrontations with her brother, arduous chores, long treks to the one room school house, and hostile winters, Wilma thrived in a loving home and gained a strong sense of family and community, an appreciation of nature, and a love of pets. But Wilma’s mother sought better opportunities for her family which prompted a move to Denver in 1924.
Determined to make a smooth transition to city life, Wilma blossomed. After her 1933 Wheat Ridge H.S. graduation, Wilma studied music and drama at DU and took voice lessons at the Lamont School of Music. She practiced her talents in the Chorus and Drama Club in one of the largest youth groups in Denver, Genosco, at North Presbyterian Church. Wilma met her husband there and developed life-long friendships. In the meantime, marriage, Pussel cat, two daughters and a new home put Wilma’s music ambitions on hold. However, as the children entered grade school, she found a new stage, the PTA. She worked tirelessly to expand community involvement in education and held PTA leadership positions at local, county and state levels.
Drawn by her steadfast passion for music and her desire for a new organizational challenge, Wilma joined the Colorado Symphony Guild. There she built a strong network of friends, founded six guilds throughout Denver, and earned an honorary lifetime membership. Finally, a job as office manager at Gano Downs of Cherry Creek rounded out her resume and gave her a taste of traditional employment. Treasured fellowships at North Presbyterian Church, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, Eastern Star and PEO, formed the nurturing ground for her life’s journey.
Wilma leaves a legacy of determination, grace, and generosity to daughters Cheryl (David dec.) Etheridge, and Charlene (Byron) Walker; grandchildren Scott (Natalie) Etheridge and Suzanne (Thomas) Ouellette; and four great grandchildren.
Wilma was interred at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, CO with immediate family in attendance.
The family appreciates the compassionate assistance provided by Sunrise Assisted Living of Westminster (CO) and the comforting companionship of Tigger the house cat.
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