Sr. Mary Wilma Wolf
April 2, 1918 ~ June 9, 2015
Sister Mary Wilma Wolf, RSM, 97, died on June 9, 2015 at Mercy Hallmar in Cedar Rapids, after a brief illness. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at the Chapel of Mercy on the Mount Mercy University campus, by Rev. Jim Brockman. Burial will be at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2015 at Sacred Heart Chapel with a wake service at 6:30 p.m. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
Sister Mary Wilma was born on April 2, 1918, in Little Cedar, Iowa, the daughter of William and Sophia (Miller) Wolf. She attended Washington Elementary and graduated from Osage High School in Osage, Iowa in 1936. Following graduation, she entered the Sisters of Mercy Community in Cedar Rapids. Sister Mary Wilma taught at St. Berchman's, Marion; Immaculate Conception, Charles City and St. John's School, Waterloo. Sister Mary Wilma attended Mount Mercy College from 1941-1943. She received her bachelor's degree in Home Economics from the University of Iowa in 1943 and her master's degree majoring in Home Economics and minoring in Biochemistry in 1944. Sister Mary Wilma was an instructor at Mount Mercy from 1945-1988. Upon her retirement, Sister Mary Wilma began volunteering for Mercy Medical Center as a seamstress and crocheted prayer shawls and baby blankets. She volunteered at Mercy Medical Center until the time of her death. She recently had surpassed 9000 hours of volunteer service.
Sister Mary Wilma was a Sister of Mercy for 79 years. Sister delighted in sharing her many culinary skills of baking, cooking and canning. She often was a guest on the noon WMT television show demonstrating a variety of recipes.
In addition to the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Mary Wilma is survived by a sister, Catherine Wolf of Love Park, Illinois; and a brother, Vincent Wolf of Chillcathe, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings Gertrude, Bernice, Clement, Agnes, Monica, Fidelis and Wilma.
Memorials may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy at 1125 Prairie Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
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Sr. Wilma was a truly wonderful woman of God. She will be sorely missed. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
I loved Sr Wilma. She was one of my aunt’s close friends (Sr Pauline Fox). My first memory of Sr Wilma was modeling in a fashion show at the college. I think it was for an outfit that a student has sewn for her class. Sr Wilma, Sr Augustine & Sr Roberta spent a lot of time at our house with Sr Pauline. They were the epitome of true Catholic nuns. Devout, smart, interesting and a great sense of humor. They are all together now in the perpetual light. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
Sister Wilma was a very special person in our family. She is one of 3 ladies who taught me to crochet including my Grandma and her sister Gertrude and my aunt and her niece Dorothy. I remember in the evenings after dinner at Grandma’s sitting around the table doing crafts; everyone would bring out their crocheting, knitting or other needle work. When I was very young I used to visit her at Mount Mercy in the flower garden. When I was a young woman on a vacation to the Amana Colonies with my boyfriend now husband we stopped for lunch and were able to see the garden that is named in her honor. We know that she is now in heaven with her Lord watching over us all.
Sr. Wilma was my professor, both for Home Economics and Chemistry. I recall her as a bundle of energy, with a fun sense of humor. It is amazing that she devoted 79 years to her life’s work. May she rest in peace.
Sister Mary Wilma was very similar to my grandmother. Sr. Wilma had a kind demeanor, an excellent cook at everything including canning. Sr. Wilma could crochet and sew anything. There are very few remarkable women like her in this world who can do these things humbly, as well as teach and serve God. I loved seeing her and talking with her because she was such an inspiration. May Sr. Wilma rest in peace. My prayers go out to all her family and to the Sisters of Mercy.
Malinda Poduska, Associate of the Sisters of Mercy.
Love and prayers to my Sisters in Cedar Rapids. I celebrate Sister Wilma’s entrance into new life! In Christ, Cristina Caballero, RSM
May she be at peace and at rest. Martha Larsen, rsm.
Sister Wilma was my chemistry professor at Mt. Mercy; she was an excellent instructor and a kind, patient lady. I remember a required chemistry lab where we had to test to define an unknown. Mine was a miserable failure. She allowed me to return to campus over Easter break. She set up the lab for me to once again attempt to identify an unknown.
How many professors would spend the time and effort to do this for a freshman student? Thankfully I was successful this time! I never forgot her wisdom and kindness. She taught us more than chemistry. May she rest in peace for eternity.
Janet Cobb Woodhouse, Class of 1966