Joan Marie Wolf

Joan Marie Wolf, 95, of Clara City, Minnesota passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on July 23, 2026 at the Clara City Care Center. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am, Friday, July 31st at Church of St. Clara in Clara City. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 pm, Thursday at Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Clara City and continue one hour prior to her service at church. Memorials are preferred. Burial will be at the church cemetery. www.hafh.org

Joan's service will be livestreamed at ( https://www.ourlivingwater.org/joanwolf.html )

Joan Marie Wolf, age, 95, of Clara City, Minnesota passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on July 23, 2026 at the Clara City Care Center. Joan was born in Adrian, Minnesota on April 21, 1931 to Ida (Ruffing) and Louis Hendel. She grew up on her family farm with her five siblings. Joan preferred to work outside and was especially attached to caring for the family work horses. She graduated from St. Adrian Catholic School as Valedictorian of her class in 1949. Joan was offered a full scholarship at St. Mary’s of Winona, Minnesota, but never attended due to family circumstances. After graduation, she worked in the Adrian Coop Creamery as an accountant.

Joan met a handsome and charismatic man named Roman at the town dance hall. She married Roman Cornelius Wolf on January 23, 1951. They initially rented farmland outside of Adrian and  eventually wanted to work their own farm. In 1958, they relocated their young family of six children to a farm outside of Clara City, Minnesota. Clara City had the land, community, and Catholic school they were seeking. After moving, the birth of another daughter and son made them a family of eight children.

Joan primarily worked side by side farming with Roman while bringing up her large family.  Shortly after Roman’s death in 1989, Joan moved “to town” and continued her robust work and play ethics. She was a school cook and lunch server; volunteered for Meals on Wheels; volunteered at the Clara City Care Center for craft making; drove friends to events; and learned to play organ.

Joan was involved with many organizations and committees including: American Legion Auxiliary, St. Clara Church choir, liturgy, fund raisers, religion instruction, and was on the St. Clara Parish Council and the Catholic Council of Women.  Joan was awarded the Bishops Medal of Service in 1994.

One of Joan’s many hobbies she enjoyed was crafts. Another “hobby” was bargain shopping. She passed this lust for a good bargain on to all of her children. Joan also had a zest for travelling. She went on tours of the United States and abroad with friends or her siblings and in-laws.

Joan raised her children not by words, but by example. She modeled moral values as her children and grandchildren witnessed her strong involvement to family, church, community, and those in need. She was noted for her: kind heart, fairness, sweet disposition, detailed stories, gratitude, and her comical “comments”.

Joan Marie Hendel Wolf in her humbleness had no idea how much her devoted and generous spirit spread like a giant gentle quilt of love over all. She is a loss to all who knew her and all who knew her were blessed.

Joan is survived by six of her eight children: Linda (Bruce Hebeler) Wolf, Theresa (Greg) Wolf-Lee, Gary (Pam Jewett) Wolf, Glen (Joye) Wolf, Joyce (Curt) Hayunga, and Ron (Vicky) Wolf; her son-in-law, Dave Redman and daughter-in-law, Lanette Wolf; her in-laws: Betty Burkard, Joanne Wolf, Phyllis Hendel, and Judy Hendel; eighteen grandchildren: Catherine, Michael, Jason, Quinn, Spencer, Stacie, Melissa, Matthew, Sarah, Zachary, Bryce, Andrew, Gavin, Megan, Michelle, Christine, Nathan, Eric, and their spouses; her ten great grandchildren: Alexis, Makala, Aubrey, Roman, Lilly, Annelise, Emmett, Silas, Remy, and Eden; and her numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Roman; her children: Dianne Redman and Thomas Wolf; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Wolf; her siblings: Donna Healy, Jim Hendel, Robert Hendel, Ruth Lorang, Leo Hendel and their spouses; her grandchildren: Kay Wolf and Kevin Wolf. She was also preceded in death by multiple aunts and uncles. 

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