Wolfe, Thomas 'Tom' L.

Thomas “Tom” L. Wolfe, 85, of Solon, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at Mercy Iowa City. . A Celebration of Life will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Lake Macbride Golf Course. The family will greet friends from 4 until 8 p.m., with a dinner buffet starting at 5 p.m. Friday. Brosh Chapel in Solon is in charge of arrangements.

Tom was born June 18, 1927, in Mount Joy, Pa., the son of Dr. Thomas and Wilma (Schatz) Wolfe. He married Mary “Bitsi” Ball in Dubuque on Sept. 14, 1957. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a member of the Solon American Legion for 65 years. He graduated from Cornell College in 1950. In 1967, Tom and Bitsi moved to Solon, where they owned Chansky Drug Store until 1974. Tom then purchased Bauman's Clothing Store in Mount Vernon until selling that business in 1994.

In 1971, Tom fulfilled his lifelong dream and passion of building, owning and operating Lake Macbride Golf Course until 2010 when he retired after 40 years. Tom was an avid golfer, regularly shooting his age or under. He was an avid fan and ticket holder of the Chicago Bears and the Iowa Hawkeye for over fifty years. Tom's number one priority was his family and time spent with them. He enjoyed his pontoon time on Lake Macbride, where he would only bring home fish stories, no fish.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Bitsi; children, Jeff Wolfe and Twila Barnes, Tracy (Mike) Hufford and Scott (Lou) Wolfe, all of Solon, and Sarah (Tim) McArdle of Frisco, Texas; grandchildren, A.J., Logan, Katelyn, Royce, Mallory, Jesse, Spencer, Meagan, Andy and Rachel, brothers, John (Betty), Bob and David; and sisters, Elizabeth Kroul and Mary Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two stepbrothers, Dick and Daniel Wolfe; and brothers-in-law, Howard Kroul and John Smith.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.

Published Sept. 13, 2012, in The Gazette