Frank Edward Wolf

Frank Edward Wolf was born on May 3, 1948, to Helen (Senger) and Joseph M. Wolf in Linton, ND, on his oldest sister DelRita’s birthday. Over the years, they were fortunate to celebrate their birthdays together numerous times. He was the eighth of ten children. Being raised on a farm in rural North Dakota offered many memorable experiences. The first happened when Frank was an infant. The family home caught on fire, and he was tossed out a window to safety. The family lived in a grain bin until Joseph was able to purchase a new home and move it to the farm. Swimming in creeks, horseback riding, milking cows, running to serve Mass, playing basketball in the hay barn, sledding on old car hoods during the winter. These are just a few of his fond memories. One of Frank’s favorite memories was when the weather was below zero; his father would hook up the horses and sleigh to take Frank, his siblings, and neighboring children to the two-room schoolhouse, bundled all snug under blankets. With nine siblings, Frank never lacked playmates or adventure. The bond created on the farm between his siblings lasted through the decades. They always showed up for each other in life’s most meaningful moments. Frank was particularly moved when the family, although spread out geographically, made a special trip to meet in Rapid City, SD, in November to say their goodbyes and reminisce. Whenever the Wolf pack gets together, laughter fills the room. Frank graduated from Linton High School in 1966. He was the last to help his parents on the farm. Frank then enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country, stationed at Fort Richardson. He loved his time in Alaska. Frank returned to Alaska when he and Debbie celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan cruise. After Frank’s stint in the Army, he attended college in Rapid City before transferring to Bismarck Junior College. It was easier to help out on the farm when he lived in the same state. The lights of the Big Apple beckoned, and Frank moved to New York City, where he worked at Madison Square Garden for Northwest Airlines. While there, Frank earned two trips for his outstanding work. The lure of the city eventually paled, and Frank moved to Seattle, WA, where he painted houses. In 1977, Frank arrived in boomtown Gillette, WY. Here, Frank worked for Green Electric, wiring many residential homes and businesses in the area. He even had his own company for a while and proudly received the bid to wire the Aquatic Center in Gillette. Through the boom and bust cycles, Frank worked at several different places in Gillette to support his family, including Totem Construction, the Holiday Inn, Campbell County Air Freight, and Wilson Welding. In May 1978, Frank met a “pretty little school teacher,” Debbie Hutchinson. They married the following year at St. Matthews Catholic Church, and this August would have celebrated their 47th anniversary. Frank soon added to his family as he and Debbie welcomed twins, Erin and Ryan, in 1981. In 1987, they completed their family with the birth of Kayla. Family meant the world to Frank. He was an extremely devoted husband and father who showed his love in a thousand quiet, thoughtful ways. On below-zero mornings, he would warm up the family cars and clean them of ice and snow so no one was late or cold. He helped create the most elaborate Valentine’s Day boxes, Halloween costumes, and school projects, always going the extra mile to make them special. If you appeared chilled on the couch, he would cover you with a blanket. He was the biggest cheerleader, attending every academic, musical, and athletic event for his children. He was just as present when his children became adults, whether he was helping tackle projects in their homes or celebrating a birthday party. He was always there when you needed him, at every major life event and in the small moments, where he had a knack for offering wise words or a joke at just the right time with his contagious smile. With the arrival of his grandchildren, the cycle began again. They were the apple of Pops’ eye and his greatest accomplishment. Frank loved spending time with his grandchildren, and they absolutely adored him. His eyes lit up when he received texts with photos or a FaceTime call from them. Although Frank faced many medical challenges, he faced them with grace, never questioning why. His only regret was not being able to see his grandchildren grow up. Frank was happiest with a hammer in his hands or in the dirt. He grew massive, fruitful gardens throughout the years. A modern-day Johnny Appleseed, over his lifetime, Frank planted 1,000s of trees from North Dakota to the Pacific Northwest. If he wasn’t planting, he was building. As a matter of fact, Frank’s mother-in-law was so happy when he and Debbie bought some acreage in the Black Hills near Carlile, WY, because there wasn’t a lot of room left in Gillette; Frank had built an addition to their home, a gorgeous gazebo, shed, garden plots, and the coolest backyard fort, “Fort Sutherland,” which was the envy of the neighborhood children. Frank’s biggest project was born in 1993 when he built the family cabin. After Frank retired in 2012, he added onto the cabin, transforming it into his and Debbie’s dream home. A place where he could feed the wildlife, care for his chickens, and bask in the serenity the woods offered. The cabin was his grandchildren’s favorite place to visit. Wyoming winters began to take their toll, and warmer weather called. Frank and Debbie bought a second home in Albuquerque, NM. They enjoyed exploring their adopted state. Frank especially cherished the adventures and culinary delights they experienced with their special friends in Albuquerque. Allowing them to make this pilgrimage every winter were their dear neighbors in Carlile, who looked after Frank and Debbie’s homestead while they enjoyed the warmer weather. Over the years, Frank bravely fought five different types of cancer. An optimist until the end, he was hopeful he would win the battle again. He left us on February 23, 2026, in Denver, surrounded by his loving family, far too early. Ready to greet him were his parents, Helen and Joe Wolf; his brother, Don Wolf; and sister, Helen Mueller; in-laws Diane and Keith Hutchinson; and numerous other family members. Left to treasure his memory and keep his stories alive are his devoted wife, Debbie; loving children and grandchildren: Erin (Aaron), Finley, and Callum Spatz, Denver, CO; Ryan (Senait), Sienna, Maia, and Lucas Wolf, Denver, CO; Kayla (Jeff), Arie, and Zay Strom, Denver, CO; siblings DelRita Schouten and Bernie Wolf of Rapid City, SD; Joe (Jane) Wolf, Bismarck, ND; Andy (Sue) Wolf, Beulah, ND; Herman (Joan) Wolf, Minneapolis, MN; Darlene Sundahl, Champlin, MN; Patty (Ron) Moss, Carmichael, CA; sisters-in-law Elaine Wolf, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Vicki (Fred) Burgess, Bailey, CO; brother-in-law Jerry (Gerveann) Hutchinson, Gillette, WY; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held at a later date, with inurnment at Fort Logan National Cemetery in CO.

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Frank Edward Wolf

May 3, 1948 - February 23, 2026