Claude "Wolffie" Wolff

Mr. Claude "Wolffie" Lewis Wolff and Mrs. Debra "Debbie" Jane Wolff, went to be with the Lord together on August 26, 2021. Wolffie was born on February 27, 1946, in Fairbanks, AK, son of the late Rodney Wolff and Elvina Barton Wolff. Debbie was born on April 15, 1952, in Wellston, OH, daughter of Dorothy Rowland Smith.

Being raised in Interior Alaska, Wolffie experienced a childhood unlike many others. As a boy scout, he was a proud member of the 40 Below Club. There was nothing that Alaska could throw at him that he couldn’t handle, a mentality that followed him into his adult years. Wolffie joined the Navy soon after graduating high school and honorably served during his career. Once returning to Alaska he held several jobs, including working to build the Alaska Pipeline, after which started in the grocery industry at Carrs Foodland. Wolffie loved woodworking and always kept busy. Providing for his family was his passion.

Debbie grew up in a military family and eventually landed herself in Alaska. As a child she loved spending time with her grandparents and had special memories of churning butter and cooking with her grandma. Debbie had a beautiful voice and was often heard singing throughout the day. Later in life she joined the Sweet Adelines in Fairbanks and could also be found spending time in the garden or sewing something for her family. She was a master gardener and part of the Red Hats Society. Debbie’s ultimate dream was to be a mother and grandmother, which were a part of her greatest accomplishments.

The paths for these two beautiful souls crossed for the first time in the unlikeliest of places- in the cereal aisle at Carrs Foodland. However, there was no doubt that they were meant for each other. Debbie soon thereafter opened an in-home daycare she touted as My Little Corner. She spent over decade caring for many children in the Fairbanks/North Pole area, something that she found to be greatly fulfilling. Debbie took a special interest in each child and made lasting memories for every single one. Debbie was a wonderful cook, which Wolffie thoroughly enjoyed. Their love was special and complimenting of each other. If Debbie needed something built for the daycare, Wolffie was there to help make it happen – often in his overalls which were a closet staple.

Wolffie retired from Carrs Foodland in 1999 yet had a hard time sitting still and soon thereafter took a job at Sampson’s Hardware, before eventually following their grandchildren to Georgia. Family was their number one priority. After relocating to Georgia, Wolffie worked for Georgia Power’s Plant Bowen in a security position for close to 12 years and retired for the second time just this past year. Debbie always prioritized the needs of others before herself, putting many of the things she enjoyed on the backburner, and always talked of the time when she would be able to do the sewing and art projects that made her heart happy. She was a caretaker to many including her mother as of most recent. Wolffie and Debbie loved to spend time with their daughters and granddaughters and looked forward to family dinners on Wednesdays. The love affair that began more than 43 years ago in the cereal aisle has created many wonderful memories and an abundance of love that has been passed to their children and grandchildren.

Wolffie and Debbie are survived by their daughters, Thereasa Van Hagen and Shannon Wolff; grandchildren, Logan and Mackenzie Van Hagen; Debbie is also survived by her sisters, nieces and nephews. Friends are cordially invited to a Gathering with the family from five o'clock in the evening until seven on Wednesday, the 1st of September, 2021 at Owen Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at a later date. Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider donating to the National Park Foundation in their honor, as they cherished and loved the natural world around them throughout their lifetimes. Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA is honored to serve Mr. and Mrs. Wolff's family during this difficult time.