Kathleen Ann Wolf of Fort Collins, CO (formerly of Zanesville, OH, Chesterfield, MO and Scottsdale, AZ) passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 23, 2022, after a 3 month, graceful battle with brain cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family in her sun-filled home during her final week.
Kathi was born in 1947 in Chicago, Illinois to Alicemay and Neil Miles. She was the eldest of 6 children. Kathi graduated from Trinity High School and attended the University of Illinois where she obtained a bachelor's degree in Education. She began her teaching career in the city of Chicago, and at the age of 50 continued with her own education by earning her master's degree in Education; an example of her lifelong love of learning and teaching.
While living in Chicago she met her husband, Bill, at a nightclub. It was love at first sight and the rest is history. Bill and Kathi were married on September 3, 1971. Their first daughter was born in 1973, followed by four more daughters and, lastly, a son to complete the family.
Kathi's love for children was exemplified by her teaching career at Kehrs Mill Elementary in Chesterfield, MO. She was a dedicated volunteer and was always involved in her children's activities.
Kathi had a passion for cooking and hosting and was the life of the party. Her smile would light up the room and her love was contagious. Kathi loved to celebrate life and bring people together. She organized a local lunch group over 40 years ago that still exists today. Kathi was an avid reader, crossword and word jumble enthusiast and started each morning with a puzzle. She was also a devoted Catholic and rarely, if ever, missed Mass. She was giving and selfless and always focused on taking care of everyone around her.
Kathi's true joy was her family and witnessing the success of her 6 children. She was an endlessly proud mother and grandmother to 9. Her dying wish to her entire family was "to have a fun life and keep laughing together." She truly believed in the power of laughter.
Kathi is survived by her husband of 50 years, William Wolf of Fort Collins, CO; children, Sara (Chris) Wolf-French of Berkeley, CA, Christie (Chip) Wolf-Guthrie of Fort Collins, CO, Aimee (Nick) Kelly of Fort Collins, CO, Andrea (John) Wolf-Hlebica of Oakland, CA, Liz (Wes) Jaillet of Marietta, GA, and Billy Wolf of Oakland, CA; siblings, Neil (Lorna) Miles of San Jose, CA, Mary Ellen (Rick) O'Rourke of Naperville, IL, Jeanne Miles of Newport Richey, FL, Lynda (Dan) Miles of Tinley Park, IL, and Robert (Vicky) Miles of Downers Grove, IL; and grandchildren, Adeline, Juna, Brock, Elizabeth, Hudson, Vera, Finley, Miyuki, and Henry. Kathi was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of cards and flowers please donate to a non profit that is working on research to find a cure for glioblastoma, which Kathi was diagnosed with. The best way to donate is to go to
http://gbmresearch.org/donate-now
and click the bottom that says, "in honor/in memory of." Donors will be able to type in our mother's name, and all donations in honor of her will have a corresponding postcard sent to our family.