Mary Katherine Wolf (nee Cernohous), a soul full of warmth and compassion, passed away on April 27, 2024 at the age of 73. Mary was born on March 28, 1951, to Ernest and Margaret (Betzel) Cernohous. Mary grew up on a farm outside of River Falls, where she also attended and graduated from River Falls High School. Mary married Lawrence Wolf of Elmwood, Wis., on Oct. 4, 1970. They started their family south of River Falls where Mary made their house and home, and they were blessed to raise their five daughters. She instilled in them a strong work ethic and provided them with unconditional love, advice, and support, which she also later passed on to her granddaughters.
Mary was a woman who was guided by faith with no pretense about her. She was hardworking, down to Earth, honest, and she lived a life of service. Among her many passions, Mary enjoyed gardening and yard work, playing card games with her family, various volunteering activities at Dick’s IGA, and her work through St. Bridget’s Church. Mary loved and cherished her time with her family; weekly coffee dates with her best friends and always taking time to be the best cheerleader for all her granddaughters’ activities.
Mary’s strong work ethic always showed in the kitchen where she was well known for baking and cooking. Mary was always the first to lend a helping hand making various foods and inviting friends and family to her famous Sunday dinners. Her door was always open, there was always coffee on, and there were cookies in the freezer.
Mary is survived by Larry, her husband of 55 years, her daughters, Melissa (Tim) Anderson, Michele, Maureen, Melanie and Megan (Chris) Dull, “adopted” son Finau Pupungatoa and her two favorite granddaughters, Madalyn and Amelia. She is further survived by caring siblings, William (Margie) Cernohous and James (Pam) Cernohous, and in-laws Sue (Nick) Sperger, Mary Ann Ausman, Joe (Theresa) Wolf, Tony (Jennifer) Wolf, Molly Wolf, William (Theresa) Wolf and Rita (Rick) Nelson, as well as many nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Ernie and Margaret, in-laws Georgie and Angeline Wolf, brothers-in-law, Robert Wolf and James Wolf; and sister-in-law Sharon Risler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024 at St. Bridget Catholic Church (211 E. Division St.) in River Falls. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St.) in River Falls and also on Thursday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
