Michael Henry Wolf

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.