Virgil Gerhard Wolf

Virgil Wolf Virgil was raised on a farm near Jordan, MN. His father died when he was three and his mother ran the farm with the help of a hired hand and the kids. As a youth, he played football and baseball while keeping up on his farm chores. During harvest season, he earned extra money working for more than a dozen other farms. He enjoyed hunting escapades with his brother Bob, putting meat on the family table. He met his future wife, Gerry, at the city park waterfall. Although she declared she'd never marry him, he won her heart. She was his best friend and confidant. They never went to sleep in anger, always kissed each other good morning and good night and were often seen holding hands. They were true partners in work and play achieving happiness together. They were married 67 years before she passed away. After a couple years living in Belle Plaine and Jordan, and having added two girls to their family, they moved to Hopkins. They continued to grow their family, adding another daughter and three sons. He was very proud of his children (Chris Wolf, Miki Wolf and partner Mike Michurski, Denise Hagen and husband Bryan, Bruce Wolf and wife Connie, David Wolf, Mark Wolf and partner Ronda Roth) 6 grandchildren (Chris's daughters Julie & Andrea and husband Philip, Denise's sons Steve and wife Tara & Jeff and partner Justia, Bruce's children Angela and husband Scott, & Tony) and surprised by his 11 great grandchildren (Julie's boys Hunter and Chase, Andrea's boys Gavin, Elijah and Nate, Angela's boys Brandon and Isaac, Tony's boys Asher and Arlo, and Steve's daughter and son Ellie and Charlie). The passing of their son David at the age of 35 was a terrible loss. The home they created was a busy one. Vigil knew life was to be lived fully and shared that enthusiasm with family and friends. Going "up north" to a cabin or in a camper always included time on a boat, waterskiing, swimming, a fish fry and a treat at the waterfront bar/convenience store. Family outings to visit grandparents were a regular event. Winter meant sledding on "the big hill", and snowmobiling and taking his kids shopping for the perfect Christmas tree. He regretted never learning to swim and made sure his kids had swimming lessons. Virg enjoyed attending his kids school events, from father/daughter dances to band, choir and theater performances. The back yard at the Wolf household was the gathering place for neighborhood kids - flying high on the tree swing, playing kick the can well past dark, and running through the sprinkler on a hot summer day. These activities were hard on the lawn but that didn't matter to Virg. Devoted in their faith, Gerry and Virg joined the local Catholic church (where he was a model for their fashion show fundraiser) and the Knights of Columbus. Virgil prayed the rosary every day and said special prayers for friends and family who were grieving a loss or suffering from medical issues. Virgil worked hard providing for the family. In the early days, he sometimes worked 3 jobs at a time. His career path took him from: working for his uncles plumbing company to doing lumber deliveries in Jordan to Minneapolis Moline in Hopkins. At Moline, he supported new farm equipment designs, including field testing them on farms near Fargo ND. He left Moline for Research Incorporated, where he worked and ultimately managed the sheet metal department. He took pride in working with the engineering department to design workable solutions for their customers. Virg was particularly proud of the ovens they designed and built to bake the heat shield panels for the space shuttle. He retired after 35 years. Gerry wanted to work a bit longer, so Virg took over the home chores doing laundry, cleaning and often putting dinner on the table. Virgil joined the Hopkins volunteer fire department, where he served for 26 years achieving the rank of captain. He was also the training captain for Hopkins. When Minnetonka started their own department, he trained their new firefighters too. Virg and Gerry enjoyed going to the annual state fireman's convention and seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Virgil was an athlete at heart and joined a softball league and bowling league, ultimately becoming an avid golfer. Their home was a favorite place to gather when any activity came to an end. After the kids moved out, he and Gerry joined a fitness club (Virgil belonged for 26 years), couples golf league and took winter trips to Florida. Their time in Florida was made especially joyous when their grandchildren made their trip to spend a week with grandma and grandpa. They also enjoyed international travel, taking trips to Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. Back home, they've been coast to coast and to Hawaii. Retirement wasn't a time for winding down. There was bible study, remembrance luncheons and weekly coffee with fitness club friends, just for starters. And at last Virgil could have a beautiful lawn, carefully groomed on his rider mower. He did his own yard and snow removal until he sold his house at the age of 92. Virgil taught his children important life lessons, by example and by the way he lived his life. He taught his children how a marriage partnership could work, the importance of family and the value and rewards of hard work. He showed them you didn't always need new if you could fix it and fix it again. Virg exemplified honesty and integrity. Virgil was very grateful for the life he lived and all the wonderful people who have been part of his life. He would want everyone to know how much he appreciated your love, friendship, support and kind words. You enriched his life. A memorial Mass will be held at 11 AM on Friday, December 20, 2024, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 13505 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka, MN with visitation one hour prior to the Mass. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Strobeck Johnson Chapel 952-938-9020

Tributes

Virgil Gerhard Wolf

August 26, 1931 - November 21, 2024

Tributes

Virgil Gerhard Wolf

August 26, 1931 - November 21, 2024

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