Dale Ann Wolf

Wolf Dale Ann, 44, Mpls, ended her 6 1/2 year playful romp with breast cancer peacefully at 2AM, on Dec. 31. Dale is survived by her parents, Melvin & Lois of Waterloo, IA, sister, Caryn, Des Moines, IA; sister and brother-in-law, Marna & David Orren, Eagan. She is preceded in death by grandparents, Harry & Martha Hankin, and Michael & Sarah Wolf; and uncles, Lorimer "Lorry" Hankin, and Warren James Wolf. Dale marched forth on March 4th, 1960, in Waterloo, IA. She is a 1978 graduate of Waterloo West High School and graduated from Drake University in 1982 with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications. Her stellar working career started as a Baskin Robbins ice cream scooper after her failed childhood endeavor selling rocks door- to-door. At 18, she began a temporary holiday/summer position in the newsroom of the Waterloo Daily Courier. Her early resume also included turns as babysitter, waitress, elevator operator, desk attendant and singing messenger. In 1983, Dale moved to Minneapolis to begin her illustrious advertising and marketing career, first with Fischbein Advertising (1983-1986) followed by Minnesota Rubber/Quadion Corporation (1986-1995), Green Tree (1995-1998) and Ceridian (1998- 2003). Dale was perhaps best known as the editor/publisher of "the ME tiMEs", a sporadically annual newsletter devoted solely to articles about Dale. This publication morphed into the e-ME tiMEs, which she began writing during her illness to provide continued annoying updates about her cancer adventures, with the help of her wonderful CaringBridge website (caringbridge.org/ mn/dalewolf) In 2004, Dale released her first and only vocal CD "sMilE," which received rave reviews from her parent's friends and the tone-deaf. Sometimes tireless, but unusually tireFULL volunteer, Dale was a member of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure steering committee, recorded books for Minnesota State Services for the Blind's Radio Talking Book, and performed other selfless acts here and there (because as she continually reminded people, "I am a giver." She was the only one who ever said this.) Dale wishes to be remembered as an enthusiastic (not gifted) singer, a prolific autobiographer, mediocre housekeeper, a talented Internet surfer, and a should-have-been musical theater actress whose vast theater experience was "prisoner" in the Waterloo Community Playhouse's 1979 production "Man of LaMancha", and the role of "gum chewer" in Drake University's 1978 "Bulldog Tales". Dale wishes to thank the following for making her cancer adventure bearable: the wonderful staff at Park Nicollet: Dr. Mark Wilkowske, Pat, Jeanne, Tricia, Mary, Connie, Kristi, John, and all the other fine nurses and staff of the Park Nicollet Cancer Center that she was privileged and honored to encounter, including Jane T. and the "group". The Drake gang (The Wannabees): Laurie, Helen, Dick, Mark, Bryan, and Fred for their incomparable friendship and willingness to frequently show up in Minneapolis and/or Vegas voluntarily and without complaint; the many friends who generously gave support, ears, food, labor and time, including Jane B., Mary H., Vik, Judy L., Barbara, Sandy, Kare-Hen, Kristi, Molly, Sara B., Sally, Harold, and many others; Char, David, and Jan Z.; and the other supportive and inspirational people associated with Komen's Minnesota Affiliate. Hey, I'm dead... To heck with cost considerations; I'm sure the sale of my condo-with it's stunningly remodeled kitchen-will cover the cost of this announcement (most of it, anyways). More heaps of thanks to the following: both book clubs (yes, even the one that doesn't read), Annette, Paul, Nancy, Ruth, Mert, Caryn Z., and Jeff H. Thanks to all of my wonderful friends at Ceridian, inarguably the best coworkers anywhere, and thanks to those of you who know you deserve thanks, but I forgot to mention. Also, thanks to the fine folks at Time Warner for renting me my digital video recorder, the greatest invention of all times; Jack's for their delectable frozen pizza, and Al Gore for inventing the Internet. And a MEzillion thanks to the oodles of CaringBridge guest book friends and CD purchasers whose cheers and support continually buoyed me as I navigated my way through my cancer safari. MEMORIAL SERVICE SUNDAY JANUARY 2ND, 2005 AT 3PM AT BET SHALOM CONGREGATION, 13613 Orchard Road, Minnetonka. No flowers, please. Memorials preferred to the following: Drake University's Dale Ann Wolf Endowed Scholarship Fund, CaringBridge, Park Nicollet Cancer Center, and the Minnesota Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, go to caringbridge.org/ mn/dalewolf SHIVA Sunday and Monday at 7 PM. Location to be announced. Arrangements: Hodroff-Epstein 612-871-1234

Published on January 1, 2005