Josephine K. Wolfe

Josephine K Wolfe

Daddy rode to the gates and waited for mom to mount up and ride with him.

Josie Wolfe, aged 76, took that ride on September 7, 2024, after an 8-year courageous battle with cancer. 

She was born April 15, 1948, in Elko, Nevada to Rollo James and Mary Margaret Derleth Kimber. She was also welcomed to the family by her brother, James.

She grew up on ranches in Grouse Creek and Yost Utah. She attended schools in Grouse Creek, Utah, Yost, Utah, and Malta, ID where she graduated in 1966 from Raft River High School.

She was employed by Durfee Café, where she met and would later marry her husband Ernest Allen Wolfe on December 21, 1969.  She later gained employment at JR Simplot Company in Heyburn, where she had 29 years seniority before the plant closed in 2002.

In 1978, her and her husband adopted their daughter, Tosha, where she filled the role of mother unlike any other.  But really was the grandma of the century when her grandson, Mason was born. She was so fun, adventurous, loving, and supportive of both Tosha and Mason. She loved her adventures that her and Mason would take, the last one being to Montello, Nevada to see the Big Boy Train. 

She was a volunteer 4-H leader in Minidoka County, where she dedicated over 37 years to helping over 120 kids succeed in projects from horses to her “flower kids”.  She was awarded Overall 1st Year Leader in 1986, Overall, 4-H Leader in 2006, and again was honored as Overall 4-H Leader in 2022. 

Josie was an avid horsewoman and loved every minute in the saddle.  She was proud of the horses she raised and trained, especially “Mistake”. 

In 2012 she was awarded the Minidoka County Fair and Rodeo Grandma Queen honors.  She truly enjoyed this role, and her greatest moment was riding on a palomino to open the Grouse Creek 4th of July Parade and celebration.

Her latest mission was going to nursing homes and seeing friends she knew were there as well as making new ones and visiting them. She loved helping with Bingo and doing various activities with them.   

She was a Chuck Norris fan, loved black licorice, and a cold Coca-Cola. She loved doing word searches and watching NCIS, but her greatest enjoyment was the moments with her grandson and her adventures in Grouse Creek with Elden and Chuck.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Jim and Mary and her husband, Allen.

She is survived by her daughter Tosha, her luckiest son-in-law Jay, her grandson and bestest friend Mason, her brother, Jim in Nevada, niece Kelly (Ryan) Smith in Oklahoma, nephews Justin (Dorene) Wolfe of Oregon, Heath (Sherry) Wolfe of Oregon, and 5 great nieces and nephews as well as numerous cousins and close friends.

Special thanks to Tawni Blanthorn, Tyler and Jolynne Stoker, and Penelope Blaikie for their undying friendship, love, and support to her.

Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyways… Mom, you showed us a new lesson on courage, power of positive mental attitude, and grit.  You saddled up and rode hard.  Now is your time to be free of pain. Enjoy that eternal ride with Daddy and I will see you again. I love you, thank you for allowing me to be your daughter.

No viewing or funeral services will be held at her request.  A private graveside service will be held for the family at the Grouse Creek Cemetery where she will be laid by her husband and parents. A Celebration of Life will be held September 12, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Grouse Creek Chapel.

For friends closer to home, a potluck/bonfire celebration of life will be held on September 21, 2024, at the Wolfe/Timmons Residence 186 West 400 South, Rupert. Come camp on the lawn, share stories, enjoy burnt marshmallows and remember mom! We will start this around 12 p.m. and go till the fire dies out!  Arrangments are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

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