Mildred Wolfe

Mildred (Ruley) Wolfe, 85, went to be with our Lord on Sept. 11, 2011.

Millie was born and raised in Lowell, Ind., on April 15, 1926, where she also attended school. She married James Rogan Wolfe on April 18, 1946, and lived in Gary, Ind., until 1969, when they moved to the Flathead Valley.

Millie and Jim were very much in love, and she supported him in every way. Raising nine children, Jeffrey, David, James "Mark," Elizabeth, John "Scott," Margaret, Phillip, Roger and Thomas, kept Millie busy while Jim worked as a carpet layer both in Indiana and then in Montana.

Millie was an avid reader and loved to share her favorite books. She researched her family tree, loved huckleberries, and taught most of her 21 grandchildren how to eat popcorn with chopsticks. She went skydiving on her 69th birthday without telling her family until afterward.

Millie enjoyed pets and was known to feed her neighbors' dogs and cats because she liked having them come visit. A capable little lady, she landscaped, gardened and always worked on a project around the house. She had many friends and a very large family.

Millie was the "button lady" for the Klothes Kloset. She was also involved in Vista Chapter No. 44, Order of Eastern Star in Columbia Falls and the North Valley Senior Center, and she participated with Jim in the Northwest Montana Arms Collectors.

While suffering with long-term diabetes and other chronic illnesses, she had both courage and dignity, without complaint. Millie was known for unconditional love, words of encouragement and a generous heart. Adventurous, loyal, faithful, kind and forgiving.

She is preceded in death by her brother Donald Ruley; husband Jim Wolfe; sons Scott, Mark and Tommy; daughter Margaret and her husband Ed Price; grandson Jason Wolfe; and granddaughter Stephanie Blevins Wolfe.  

She is survived by her brother Dean Ruley and wife Pat, of Lafayette, Ind.; son Jeffrey Wolfe and wife Pam, of Columbia Falls, son David Wolfe, of Columbia Falls, daughter Elizabeth Bolles and husband John, of West Glacier, son Phillip Wolfe, of Dayton, and son Roger Wolfe, of California; 21 grandchildren, including Yvonne Wolfe, Sarah and Addie Price, who she was instrumental in raising; 18 great grandchildren; and numerous cousins. She will be dearly missed by all.

A celebration of life will be held at Columbia Falls Senior Center on Sept. 24, 2011, from 2-4 p.m.