Donna Wolfe Obituary

Donna Marie Wolfe, passed away in Sacramento, CA on July 15, 2011. Born in 1929 to Leonard and Iola (Van Housen) Wacha of Schuyler, NE. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill (Tulare, CA), and sister Betty (Schuyler). Mother of sons Scott Wolfe (Bonnie) of Visalia, CA; Kirk Wolfe (Nancy) of Elk Grove, CA; and daughter Nancy Kroeger (Scott) of Schuyler, NE. Grandmother to Katie Paulsen (Jeremy) of El Dorado Hills, CA; and Betsy Nickols (Riley) of New York City, NY. Great-grandmother (gigi) to her beloved Sutton. Donna was raised in Schuyler, graduated from Schuyler High School, met and married Bill in 1948. The three children were born soon thereafter giving Donna a crash course in motherhood, adding child care duties to juggling the tasks of being a wife, housewife, and farm wife. The Wolfe clan outgrew the family homestead so Bill loaded up the family sedan, hitched up a modest trailer and headed west toward the "Land of Opportunity". After short stays in Washington State and Modesto, CA, the family put their roots down in Tulare, CA when Bill accepted a store manager position for New Holland Farm Machinery Company. Donna excelled at being a wife and mother, but she was her own person, too. She loved to be around people and what better place to do that than from the counter at Sweet's Drug Store in Tulare. Many will remember her gracious nature and willingness to help those in need of medications, store merchandise, or just a kind word and a smile. Always the life of the party, Donna would host parties and entertain friends creating much laughter donning her tap shoes and dancing to "East Side-West-Side" out on the patio. With her love of people and willingness to help, she joined her husband Bill as long-term volunteers for the California Farm Equipment Show, now known internationally as the World Ag Expo. Bill and Donna were instrumental in the inception, growth and success of the event. Bill was the second Chairman in 1970 and Donna was right beside him the entire way. Donna was a Farm Show volunteer for 37 years. Donna loved her "Jolly Girls" outings, golf, bowling, spending her nickels at the casino, laying out by the pool, and traveling. She was always supporting her kids in their endeavors, and most recently treasured following the careers and exploits of granddaughters Katie and Betsy. Donna especially embraced her role as "gigi" when great granddaughter Sutton would pay a visit. Donna spent the last two years living in Elk Grove, CA with Kirk and Nancy. Her arrival soon developed into a routine of coffee and newspaper puzzles in the morning, courtroom drama on the tube in the afternoon and a glass of wine and the News at Five. Saturday night was always popcorn and Lawrence Welk reruns. Her only real job in the household was to spoil Rosie, her four-legged buddy, with treats and kisses. They became quite a pair. The family will hold a private burial service in Tulare. A memorial service celebrating Donna's life will be held Friday, August 12th at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 215 N. Locust, Visalia, CA with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances to be sent in Donna's name to construct a "Donna's Lake" memorial on Wolfe-Kroeger property and to various local Schuyler and Tulare based charities. Checks may be made payable to Nancy Wolfe-Kroeger, 1326 D Street, Schuyler, NE, 68661.