Funeral Services For Elaine Wolf

Elaine Wolf, 89, of Albion, NE, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at her home in Albion, NE. 

Elaine Schlesinger Wolf, the daughter of Melvin H. and Florence (Guldman) Schlesinger, was born April 8, 1926 in Denver, Colorado. She graduated from Denver East High School and continued her education at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, N.Y. where she received her Teaching Degree in Elementary Education. Elaine went on to receive her Masters Degree in Math Education in Colorado, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Wesleyan University in 1997. 

On November 26, 1949, Elaine married James M. Wolf in Denver. They lived their entire married lives in Albion where they raised four children. In 1993, Elaine and Jim were founding members of the Nebraska Community Foundation, which has grown to impact communities all across Nebraska. Elaine was a strong supporter of the University of Nebraska and an avid Husker football fan. She enjoyed 14 years of service on the Board of Wesleyan University, chairing the VISION 2000 Campaign, one of the most successful endowment campaigns in Wesleyan’s history. Elaine served on the Boards of Nebraska PBS/NPR and her congregation B’nai Jeshurun (South Street Temple). 

Elaine’s community service included founding Albion’s first Girl Scout Troop. The Prairie Hills Girl Scouts Council benefited from her 30 years of continuous service. Elaine was a member of the Albion Public School Board for 12 years, including several terms as President. Elaine contributed many years of service on the Advisory Board of the Good Samaritan Society – Wolf Memorial Home of Albion. She was very active in the creation and operations of the Boone County Area Foundation. One of her most beloved projects was the creation of the Boone County Fitness Center, which she and Jim co-founded in 1984. Elaine took great pride in the long lasting contribution the Center has made to the Albion area. 

Elaine was a life long business partner of her late husband Jim and served many years as a Director on the Albion National Bank Board and was an officer of Wagonhammer Cattle Co. 

Her hobbies included participation in the Albion area book club, bridge clubs and arts council. An avid golfer she enjoyed Women’s League at the Albion Country Club. She loved to tend to her roses and enjoyed feeding as many cardinals as she could attract. Elaine traveled the world enjoying different cultures and experiences, but found the greatest joy sharing time with her four children and 11 grandchildren. 

Elaine is survived by four children: Debra (Allen) Parmet of Kansas City, MO; Susan Wolf Becker of Corte Madera, CA; James “Jay” (Susie) Wolf of Albion, NE; David (Pam) Wolf of Denver, CO; 11 grandchildren: Aaron (Amber) Parmet; Daniel Parmet; Alana and Mareya Becker; Mitchell, Hilary and Alex Wolf; Ben, Jonah and Hannah Wolf; foster granddaughter: Maria (Anthony) Campobasso, and their children A.J. and Elaina; sister-in-law: Hannie Wolf of Albion; nephew Bill (Karen) Wolf of Lincoln, along with a host of other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jim; one brother: Melvin H. Schlesinger, Jr.; one sister-in-law: Jean Schlesinger; and brother-in-law: Robert Wolf.

---