It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Rosalie Mary Wolfe who died on January 22, 2018.  Rose died at the age of 77 surrounded by family and friends after bravely fighting the battle against Lewy Bodies Dementia with Parkinsons.  

Rose was born on December 9th, 1940, in the small farming town of Reed City, Michigan, to Leo John and Julia Marie (Lenahan) Kailing. What her family lacked in wealth was made up for by the love of 15 other brothers and sisters.  Rose was the sixth oldest and together they managed the farm, tending to cows, chickens, hogs and horses on their working dairy farm.  The family attended mass every Sunday and the Catholic faith was a strong influence in her life.  Rose  attended Saint Philip Neri Catholic School through the 8th grade and graduated from Reed City High School with honors.  Her hard work was recognized with a scholarship offer from Ferris College. However, Rose had bigger plans.

 In 1960, at the age of 19, Rose felt the call of the big city and boldly left the small farm and headed to San Diego, California to live with her older sister, Lucille and her husband Ralph.  This ambitious small town girl enrolled in various classes to train as a secretary, learning how to type and take shorthand.  She took a job at a bank and continued to develop herself while fighting off several young suiters, as she would later say.  It was there she met the love of her life and husband of 56 years, Albert George Wolfe.  George, as she knew him, was a young naval sailor, also age 20.  It was her beauty and smile that first caught George’s eye and if you ask him, it was his 1958 pink ‘88 Oldsmobile coupe that caught hers.  They spent the years of their life together raising their five children and moving between naval bases across the country until George retired in 1979 and they settled in Washington state.  Through all the years, Rose committed herself to raising and caring for their five children.  George was a faithful caregiver to Rose during the last few years of her life as the dementia took its toll.  When the time was right for Rose to join the Lord, she passed peacefully.  On December 13th, Rose and George enjoyed a breakfast out together and six weeks later she went home to be with Jesus her Savior.  Rose was always loved and will be forever missed.  Her home was filled with friends and laughter, no one ever left hungry and every stray cat had a place to stay.  We love you Rose!

Rose leaves behind her husband, Albert George Wolfe and five children: Chris (Debbie) Wolfe, Renae (Russell) Arnts, Robin (Jim) Miller, John (Melissa) Wolfe, David (Rebecca) Wolfe along with 15 grandchildren: Jeremiah (Taylor) Miller, Ryan (Courtney) Wolfe, Anne Wolfe, Rachel Miller, Jacquie Wolfe, Benjamin Miller, Alex Arnts, Hannah Wolfe, John Mark Wolfe, Moriah Miller, Emily Wolfe, Amy Arnts, Joshua Wolfe, Joseph Wolfe, Megan Wolfe and 15 siblings: Lucille (Ralph)        Hunter/deceased, Leo (Ruthann) Kailing, Tom Kailing/deceased, Lawrence Kailing/deceased, (Anne Rogers), Louis (Kathy) Kailing, Lois (Dale) Stover, Theresa (Robert) Heminger, Susan (Wes) Belleville, Catherine (Jim) Belleville, Vincent (Phyllis) Kailing, Evelyn (Richard) Common, David (Sue) Kailing, Dorothy/deceased (Tim) Swanson, Michael (Karen) Kailing, Keith (Pam) Kailing.