Ted Wolff

Theodore (Ted) Wolff, 86, of Forbes, ND, died on January 18, 2021, at Prince of Peace Care Center, Ellendale, ND, after a short time on hospice. He was born on November 17, 1934, to Christian and Martha (Wagemann) Wolff, in Albertha Township, Dickey County, ND, one-half mile north of St. Peters Cemetery on his Grandpa and Grandma Wolff’s farm, with his Grandma Wagemann serving as the midwife. After a short stay at his grandparents’ farm, his family moved to Forbes in December of 1934. On May 19, 1935, he was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he was a member all of his life, and was confirmed March 21, 1948. He lost his dad at an early age to cancer, in May of 1937. This left his mother with 3 boys. When he was 11, his mother remarried, giving her 6 boys to care for. Ted graduated from Forbes High School in 1952, at 17 years of age, and was on his own. He worked for Dickey Rural Telephone, building new telephone lines, and then took a summer class at the Northern Industrial in Ellendale which allowed him to get a teaching degree. He taught for two years as they were short on teachers. The first year he spent teaching at Elm District in North Dakota and then they closed. The next year he taught at Wachter Township in South Dakota and they closed. After that, all kids came to the school in Forbes. The Forbes Equity Exchange was looking to hire someone, so Ted took the job and worked there for 17 years. During this time, he married Karen Olson on June 17, 1962. To this union they added two girls, Kathryn and Carolyn, and one boy, Michael. They enjoyed their life on the farm, milking cows for 30 years and raising crops. Ted was an influential part of keeping the People’s Store in Forbes. Besides making German fry sausage and summer sausage, he has been the Chairman of the Board since it opened in 1975. He also served on the Forbes Equity Exchange Board and the Forbes School Board along with serving various positions as a church officer. Over the years they most enjoyed the church and brought their family up with a strong faith in the Lord. They were both active all of their life and Karen still is today with Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Forbes. Ted and Karen retired and remained on the farm 1 ½ miles out of Forbes in South Dakota. Mike and his family live just one mile from their farm, Carolyn and family live in Pierre, and Kathy and family are in Des Moines, IA. Ted’s health had been failing. He had several bouts with cancer and most recently a blockage to his leg which took his life. He was a strong Christian man, and lived a life full of faith, family, and hard work. Grateful for sharing Ted’s life is his wife, Karen Wolff (Forbes); three children: Kathryn Berstler (Des Moines, IA) Carolyn (Dennis) Ryckman (Pierre, SD) and Michael (Darci) Wolff (Forbes); ten grandchildren: Nathan Kent, Andrew Kent, Kristen Berstler, (all of Des Moines); Samuel Ryckman, Cassandra Ryckman, Joshua Ryckman, (all of Pierre); Landon (Alesha) Thayer, (Ipswich, SD), Lexi (Andrew) Hoffman (Forbes), Grace Wolff, Avery Wolff (both of Forbes); eleven great-grandchildren: Oaklynn Kent, Jaden Kent, Harlie Kent, Jackson Kent (all of Des Moines); Madisyn Gellhaus, Tyler Gellhaus, Kirra Gellhaus, Sadie Thayer, (all of Ipswich); Easton Thayer, Aubrey Hoffman, Ella Hoffman (all of Forbes). He also leaves three sisters-in-law: Helen Haas (Milwaukie, OR); Eleanor Haas (Sun City, AZ), Monies Haas (Sun City, AZ). He is survived by three brothers-in-law: Gary (Celia) Olson (Forbes), Lary (Rosela) Olson (Fargo, ND), Milton Olson (Minot, ND). Ted was preceded in death by his mother, Martha (Wagemann) Haas; father, Christian Wolff; stepfather, August Haas; parents-in-law, Jens and Mary Olson; brothers, Christ Wolff, Ferdinand Wolff; stepbrothers, Elmer Haas, Larry Haas, Roger Haas, Chris Haas; sisters-in-law, Leona Wolff, Roberta Haas; and one granddaughter, Shelby Thayer. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Forbes, ND. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at Hoven Funeral Chapel in Ellendale, ND and also one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, rural Forbes. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel.