On Thursday, August 3, 2017, Laura Wolf, age 96, passes away peacefully at Oak Terrace Senior Living, Jordan, MN. She was a long-time resident of Jordan. A private family service will be held, with Laura laid to rest at the St. John Calvary Cemetery, Jordan, MN.
Laura Ida was born June 27, 1921 in a little house on Second Street in Le Seuer, MN to parents, Frank Joseph and Regina Louisa Wilhelmina (Schlauderaff) Fuhrmann. She was the younger of two daughters. Laura was baptized in July 1921 and confirmed in 1953, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Jordan, by Pastor Fry. In 1935, her family moved to Jordan with Laura’s father opening a welding shop. As a young girl, Laura’s father taught her to play the violin, because Laura’s parents couldn’t afford the $.05 per lesson due to the depression. Her father played at local dances and Laura was fortunate to play with him on several occasions.
After graduating from Jordan High School, Laura began working for the Central Telephone Company in Jordan. She worked there from 1939-1945 and again from 1946-1951, where Laura made $.15 an hour part-time and $.25 an hour fulltime.
At the Scott County Fair, Laura met the love of her life, Werner Mathias Wolf. They exchanged wedding vows on March 4, 1943 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jordan, MN. Laura and Werner lived on the Wolf farmstead and in 1944 decided to move to Nerstrand, MN. For one short year, they manage a dairy farm, where she learned to milk cows. Laura and Werner returned to live in Jordan, where they welcomed their son, David, born in July 1951.
The beginning of a life change started in May 1955, when Laura and Werner started Wolf Motors on Water Street in Jordan. She wore many hats as a bookkeeper, accountant, parts runner and other various duties. Laura received numerous outstanding awards from Ford Motor Company, for her accounting perfection. Through the years, Laura enjoyed keeping the company expanding. In 1973, the current location for the dealership was built and in 2016 the building was expanded and remodeled. Because of her contribution, Wolf Motor organization is in its 3rd generation in 62 years.
The company has won more Ford Motor Co. customers satisfaction awards than any other dealer in the state. It also has grown to be one of Jordan’s largest employers with over 85 dedicated employees. The first 15 years, times were very tough and Laura was responsible for making the checkbook work. Sacrifice, prayer and determination is what makes family businesses work and she did more than her share of it. Even after retiring, Laura would frequently stop and visit with whomever was waiting for sales or service. She really enjoyed spending time with people and interacting. Laura attended the open house and was proud of the new facilities and to see that her and Werner’s legacy will continue.
In the mid 1960’s, Laura and Werner bought a cabin west of Grand Rapids, MN. About the same time, started an auto dealership in downtown Grand Rapids, MN. This kept her extra busy and later it was sold, as was the cabin. In 1968, they bought another cabin on Pokegama Lake, just outside of Grand Rapids. When Laura became a grandma, she always enjoyed and looked forward to Gregg and his friends coming to the cabin. They spent time fishing, swimming, snowmobiling and enjoying the outdoors. Laura wasn’t only Gregg’s grandma, she felt like a grandma to many. Family and friends were always entertained here, as Laura was known for her excellent cooking and baking, especially pies. She learned this knack from her mother, who told her, “Don’t be so careful – just throw the dough around.” Laura too enjoyed playing cards and sewing, making all her own clothes when she was younger. Laura enjoyed fishing, hunting (she shot her last deer in Wyoming in 2005 at the age of 85) and the outdoors. Laura and Werner made several winter trips, for a couple of weeks to California to visit her sister, Delores and husband, Jim. They even stopped in Las Vegas to see if they could win big.
Laura had a big heart and wanted to do things for others. She would bend over backwards to help, with wanting no recognition or favors in return. Laura just wanted to help. Her grandson, Gregg, was truly her delight in life. He enjoys many of the outdoor activities as she did, along with the passion of their pet dogs. After the birth of her great-granddaughter, Lauren, Laura enjoyed her visits and seeing pictures and videos of Lauren playing, swimming, gymnastics and parties.
Left to honor Laura’s life and continue her legacy is son, David (Charmaine); grandson, Gregg (Bridget); great-granddaughter, Lauren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ethel Blumberg, Ken (Loretta) Wolf, Helen (Art) Buchtel, Ken Fischer, Myrtrice Wolf; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Laura home is her husband, Werner; parents; sister, Delores (Jim) Dawson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Leonard Wolf, Cyril (Vangie) Wolf, Dennis Wolf, Ed Blumberg and Mary Fischer,
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Jordan Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Wolf family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
