Gregory Ronald Wolf, 68, of Urbandale, passed away December 16, 2024, with his wife and daughters by his side, following a brief battle with cancer.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, Dec. 21, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Interment will take place at the Paton Cemetery in Paton.
Greg, son of Ronald and Phyllis (Patterson) Wolf, was born March 11, 1956, in Jefferson. He had fond memories of living on the family farm near Paton until age 5, when the family moved to town in Jefferson.
He graduated from Jefferson High School. Greg began his undergraduate studies at Iowa State University and graduated from Simpson College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While he was a student, Greg worked for the Jefferson newspaper and the Meredith printing plant, gaining an early appreciation for hard work. After graduating from college, he began his career as a pension plan writer before moving into the real estate industry, where he spent many successful years. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to become a business owner as well.
He was a man of numerous interests and endless knowledge. History fascinated him, especially family history and the treasured heirlooms that carried stories of generations past. His love for cars and trains spoke to his curiosity and appreciation for the craftsmanship of bygone eras. Greg found peace and fulfillment in gardening and nature, taking pride in making things grow and thrive. Animals adored him, as if they could sense his kind heart. He was always the favorite of the family pets.
A true handyman, Greg proved there was little he couldn’t fix, and if he couldn’t, he surely “knew a guy” who could. He seemed to have a solution for every problem, big or small. With an amazing memory and a wide array of knowledge, he could hold a conversation on nearly any subject, teaching others along the way without ever being boastful. Greg had a quick and clever sense of humor and an infectious laugh. Smart, humble, and steady, he was a caretaker at his core—dependable, wise, and always willing to lend a helping hand.
Greg married the love of his life, Pat (née Norland), on Aug. 26, 1986, in Las Vegas, NV. Together they built a wonderful life and family. Greg was proud beyond words of “his girls” – Pat and daughters Jill and Whitney – and “the boys” – sons-in-law Riley and Daniel. He dearly loved his grandkids – Olivia, Miles, and Jason – and took great joy in being their grandpa. Through his unwavering support, advice, and love, he showed what family truly means. His legacy is not just in the knowledge he shared or the things he fixed but also in the love, laughter, and care he gave to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Pat of Urbandale; daughters Jill (Riley) McDowell of Johnston and Whitney (Daniel) Weiser of Grimes; grandchildren Olivia and Miles McDowell and Jason Weiser; sisters- and brothers-in law Teri (David) Goddard, Barb (Chuck) Corr, Cindy Norland, Jeff (Annette) Norland, Mike Norland, and Lori (Sean) Patterson; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Greg was preceded in death by his parents Ronald and Phyllis Wolf, sister Karen Wolf, parents-in-law Jerry and Virginia Norland, sisters-in-law Lindy Reit and Betsy Norland, brother-in-law John Reit, and nephews Paul Goddard and Aaron Goddard.
Greg had a charitable heart. Memorial donations may be directed to a charity of your choice or to one of Greg’s favorite charities/causes: Urbandale Food Pantry, Toys for Tots, Heifer International, Salvation Army, or Hope Ministries.
