Dianne M. Wolfe

Dianne M. Wolfe

Waukon

Dianne M. Wolfe, 84, of Waukon, IA, died Saturday, April 20, 2024, at her daughter’s house in North Liberty, IA. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 27, at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry, IA. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Dianne Marie Wolfe was born in Minnesota on October 4, 1939, the daughter of Firmin and Margaret (Heim) Erding. The family later moved to rural Harpers Ferry, Iowa. Dianne was very proud of having grown up in Ion, attending Linton 2 and 4 Country School. She liked to mention she was the top student in her class through the 7th grade (sometimes failing to include she was the only student in her class through the 7th grade). Dianne went on to graduate from Waukon High School in 1957, and Saint Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota in 1960. Dianne treasured the lifelong friendships she made with her nurses training classmates. After completing college, she worked in Minneapolis, Minnesota for one year.

While on a visit home, she attended a wedding dance at Rainbow Gardens in Waterville, Iowa; it was there she met her future husband John Wolfe. They were united in marriage on April 28, 1962, at St. Pius Cherry Mound, Harpers Ferry. After spending their first few months of marriage in Colorado Springs while John finished military service, they moved back to Harpers Ferry to begin farming. Dianne worked at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon until 1966, when she decided to stay home to raise their family and take an active role on the farm. After their children were grown, Dianne went back to work in 1985 as a public health nurse in Allamakee County until her retirement in 1999. She thoroughly enjoyed her work and took pride in caring for friends and neighbors.

Dianne taught religious education, was a member of the Rosary Society, and served as Director of Religious Education for St. Ann- St. Joseph’s Parish in Harpers Ferry. She was also a member of the Harpers Ferry Women’s Legion Auxiliary.

Dianne moved to Waukon in 2005 after John’s passing in 2003. She enjoyed living in town and developed many friendships in the years after her move. She became an avid bridge player and a member of Thursday Club. She also served as a board member of St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. She always missed the home she and John built in “Bolger Hollow” and would have stayed there if circumstances were different.

Dianne enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling, having the opportunity to visit many places in the United States, Canada, and Europe. She often said Switzerland was her favorite.

Dianne is survived by her five children: David (Nancy) of Kimberly, WI, Larry (Diane) of Ankeny, IA, Sharon Stewart of North Liberty, IA, Don (Kristi) of Ankeny, IA, and Nancy (Ted) Daily of Cedar Rapids, IA; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister Kay (James) Barry; her in-laws: Allan (Mary) Wolfe, Beverly Sather, Richard Stenberg, and Rose Delay; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband John; a daughter Mary Christine; her parents Firmin and Margaret Erding; her siblings: Dorothy Erding, Donna (James) Smith, and Charles Erding; and her in-laws: Bill and Beulah Wolfe, Mary Stenberg, Delaine Sather, and Leo Delay.

Casketbearers are Matthew, Tyler, and Dylan Stewart, Jordan and Ryan Wolfe, Derek Olson, Lisa Wickham, and Lyle Erding.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.