Michael (Mike) Henry Wolf, age 80, died peacefully at Banner Baywood Hospital in Mesa,
Arizona on December 30, 2021. Mike was born on June 24, 1941 in Hague, North Dakota, and
was the son of Mathias and Kenegunda (Vetter) Wolf. Mike was the youngest of 12 children.
He grew up in Napoleon, North Dakota and graduated high school in 1960 in Bismarck, North
Dakota. Mike met the love of his life Darlene Pavlish at a dance in Bismarck in 1960. Mike
enlisted in the Army National Guard in June 1961 to February 1967. During this time Mike and
Darlene were married September 29, 1962 and celebrated 59 wonderful years.
Mike worked many different jobs in his early years delivering bread, milk, working at Fargo Tire
shop, Bergseth Brothers Distributing in Fargo, North Dakota, bartending at the Teamsters in
Fargo, and then finding his passion at the Fargo Park District for 29 years and retiring in 2004.
During his early retirement years, Mike worked for five summers at the Moorhead Country Club
in Moorhead, Minnesota. Mike and Darlene lived in Dickinson, North Dakota, Seattle,
Washington, Fargo, North Dakota and made their retirement home in Mesa, Arizona in 2005.
Mike was very active with the Knights of Columbus (K of C) and was a 4th Degree Knight, along
with holding many different K of C state positions within North Dakota. He was also a member of
the AmVets, American Legion and Eagles. Mike loved to polka with Darlene and could be seen
spinning around the dance floor. Mike would never say no to anyone who wanted to dance.
Mike was also an avid card player, and you knew when he said, “I hate to do this” you knew you
lost that hand! Mike loved to visit with family and friends and anyone who gave him a listening
ear, he would talk for minutes which led into hours. Mike enjoyed going to many Fargo
Redhawks baseball games while living in Fargo and was a host family to many baseball players.
Mike leaves behind his wife, Darlene, Mesa, Arizona, daughter, Marchell Moderow (Chad
Nelson) Fargo, North Dakota, son, Kevin Wolf (Lisa) Phoenix, Arizona, grandchildren Amy
Guzman, Brad Moderow, Braxton Wolf, Jakob Wolf, Hailey Wolf and Emily Nelson, great
grandchildren; Abby, Alex and Allie Guzman, sisters; Julia Sorlien, Keney (Don) Foster, Frances
Leingang, Annie Wald, brother Matt (Sharon) Wolf, sister in-law Karla Kieser and brother in-law
Larry(Sandy) Pavlish, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents: Mathias and Kenegunda Wolf, sisters: Maggie
Bachmeier, Johanna Holm, Christine Mathern, Carol Glatt, brothers: Joe Wolf and John Wolf,
brother in-law Bob Kieser, son in-law Steve Moderow, and granddaughter, Ashley Moderow.
Mike was a gentle giant with a huge heart, a smile that no one will forget and will be missed by
all those who knew and loved him.
…… And though our arms are empty, our hearts know what to do – The beat of our hearts
forever say “I remember you”
Funeral arrangements by Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, Mesa, Arizona;
Date and service pending at this time in Mesa, Arizona. Service to be held in Fargo, North
Dakota, with a burial at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, North Dakota.
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