Charlotte Wolfe, 1926-2017

Published 10:06 am Friday, March 17, 2017

Charlotte Wolfe, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died on March 15, 2017, at Parkview Care Center in Wells.

Charlotte Serelda Christian was born Sept. 14, 1926, at the family farm in Eden Township, Winnebago County, outside of Thompson, Iowa, to Albert and Clara (Erdahl) Christian. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Vinje, Iowa. Charlotte spent her youth at the farm with her parents; sister, Alice; brother, Irving; and grandpa, Frank. She attended country school, which was just across the road from the farm place — just a hop, skip and jump from their home with the security of her parents close by. Charlotte graduated from eighth grade. Following the completion of eighth grade exams, she attended high school in Thompson, Iowa,

Charlotte Wolfe

and graduated in May 1944. She worked at Naeve Hospital for several months before being called home to help at the farm. She returned to work at the hospital, only to be called home again to help while her father was ill.

She entered Luther College in the fall of 1946 and graduated in May 1950 with majors in business education and social studies. She accepted a position as business teacher at Kiester High School in the fall of 1950. She was a kind and patient teacher and a favorite of many.

She married Dale E. Wolfe of Kiester on June 20, 1954, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kiester. She retired from teaching in January 1959 to devote full time to being homemaker and mother to her most wonderful family. With education being of great interest to her in her life, in later years, she took evening classes at Mankato State University and continued working in the education field by substitute teaching at area schools, teaching adult basic education classes and working at the Kiester library.

Charlotte’s interests included reading, birds at the feeders, painting, playing cards, spending time with family, camping and entertaining relatives. Though quiet and classy, she also raced snowmobiles and enjoyed turkey hunting. Charlotte was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and served on the church council, ALCW, quilting group and leading youth groups in her early years in Kiester. She also worked with 4-H, Boys and Girls Scouts, Kiester Saddle Club, Kiester Legion Auxiliary, Kiester Fire Fighters Auxiliary and a home extension project group.

She was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Clara Christian; her husband, Dale Wolfe; her sister, Alice Peterson; and her brother, Irving Christian. 

She is survived by her children Kyle and Becky Wolfe of Owatonna, and Tom and Nona Nesseth of Shorewood and was “Bestemor” to granddaughters Clara and Celia Charlotte “CeCe” Nesseth.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. The Rev. Katie Pals will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Memorials are preferred to Kiester Ambulance or Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Kiester.

To leave a condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.