Bernard Max Wolf

November 30, 1924 ~ June 15, 2013

VISITATION DETAILS

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

1:00-9:00 PM

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, Iowa

The family will be present to greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM.

SERVICE DETAILS

Thursday, June 20, 2013

10:00 AM

First United Methodist Church

Harlan, Iowa

Burial will be in the Linden Cemetery, Rock Port, Missouri

SURVIVORS

Wife – Shirley Wolf of Harlan, IA

1 Son – Michael (Erin) Wolf of Glidden, IA

1 Daughter – Deborah (Stephen) Jurshak of Murray, IA

3 Sisters – Myrtle (Kenneth) Mapes of Omaha, NE

Clara VanCleave of Millard, NE

Dorothy Shearer of Syracuse, NE

5 Grandchildren

3 Great-grandchildren

Nieces & Nephews

Other Relatives & Friends

Bernard Max Wolf, the son of Charles Paul and Mary Josephine (Harvey) Wolf, was born on November 30, 1924, at his parents’ home in Imlay, South Dakota, with midwife Nancy Iron Tooth attending. Bernard began attending school at age 6, riding horseback five miles to reach the school. The family later moved to Rocky Ford, South Dakota, on the White River, when a school was built there. Bernard completed first-sixth grades there before the family moved to Rock Port, Missouri, where he finished seventh and eighth grades.

When Bernard was seven, his father bought him a 22 hunting rifle, and for many years, Bernard helped feed the family using his hunting skills. In 1943, at the age of 18, he joined the United States Army and was sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Here he became a member of the fledgling 17th Airborne Division; later, he joined the paratroopers, and proudly received his paratrooper and glider wings. Bernard received his honorable discharge in 1946. In March 2013, he traveled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he visited the few remaining friends of the 17th Airborne Division.

On February 1, 1953, Bernard married Shirley Ann King at the Chamberlain Wedding Chapel in Rock Port, Missouri. The couple had two children, Deborah Kay and Michael Paul. Bernard worked as a mechanic in construction and farm implements before owning Wolf Parts and Service in Harlan, Iowa.

Bernard was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Harlan. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner. Bernard’s love for family and friends molded him into a remarkable person, and he will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends. “Until we meet again.”

Bernard M. Wolf died on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having reached the age of 88 years, 6 months, and 16 days.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ruth Kirk and Verna Vette; and one infant brother, Charles Wolf. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Wolf of Harlan, Iowa; one son, Michael (Erin) Wolf of Glidden, Iowa; one daughter, Deborah (Stephen) Jurshak of Murray, Iowa; three sisters, Myrtle (Kenneth) Mapes of Omaha, Nebraska, Clara VanCleave of Millard, Nebraska, and Dorothy Shearer of Syracuse, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Aaron (Elizabeth) Wolf, Adam (Gina) Wolf, Kristin (Tim) Allen, Elizabeth (Andrew) Ray and Mona Jurshak; three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held on Thursday, June 20, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Darwin Moore officiating. Sandy Carroll was the organist, and Lee Nelson served as the soloist. Honorary casket bearers were Brenda Lutz, Steve Ellenwood, John Tyner, Gary Jorgensen, Alfred Olson, and Kenneth Mapes. Active bearers were Aaron Wolf, Richard Jorgensen, Adam Wolf, Rodney Mapes, Marvin Kelly Lutz, and William P. Lutz. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Harlan, Iowa, or Omaha Home for Boys, Omaha, Nebraska. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.