George Wolding

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 8 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

and from 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, May 9 at Central Lutheran Church, 28 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Wednesday, May 9 at Central Lutheran Church

George M. Wolding, 98, of Chippewa Falls, died peacefully Friday morning, May 4, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

He was born March 19, 1914 in Rosholt, Wis. to Ida (Mathison) and Martin Wolding. He was raised in Rosholt and graduated from Rosholt High School in 1932. He attended U.W. Stevens Point for two years.

George married Ruth Scheider on June 13, 1936 in Amherst, Wis. They resided in Amherst where George was employed as a baker. In 1941 they moved to Rosholt and he took over the family farm until 1945, when he joined the Navy Seabees serving in Calif. until being honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Rosholt to farm until 1951. From 1951-1955, he was employed in wholesale hardware and then plumbing and heating. They lived in Amery from 1956-1971, moving to Chippewa Falls in 1971, where he was employed at the Chippewa Falls School System in maintenance until retiring in 1979. He worked at Mega Foods in Chippewa Falls until the store's recent closing.

George was a Past Master of the Amery Masonic Lodge #258 F&AM, a former member of the Chippewa Falls Masonic Lodge #176 F&AM, Rosholt American Legion #509, Rosholt and Chippewa Falls Loyal Order of the Moose #246. He was also an active member of Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls and the Chippewa Falls Senior Center Music Makers.

Survivors include: a daughter, Judith Ann Spare of Chippewa Falls; four grandchildren, Julie (Jim Prijatel) Spare, Jeanie (Pat) Hepfler, Jennifer (Phillip) Sarazen, John (Renee Subrt) Spare; eight great-grandchildren, Shane Prijatel-Spare, Brianna (Clint Monpas-fiance) and Tel Hepfler, Robert and Nikole Subrt, Ralf (Tina) Prijatel, Hannah and Luke Sarazen; special friend, Mary "Marie" Petuck of Chippewa Falls; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife, Ruth on June 19, 2000; a sister, Thelma Goldworth; three brothers, Joseph Milo, Aaron and Bjarne Wolding.

A celebration of George's life will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 9 at Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls with Rev. Rick Hoyme officiating. Military honors by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will follow the service. Interment will be at a later date in Rosholt.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 8 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Members of the Chippewa Falls Loyal Order of the Moose will provide a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral chapel.

To say that George loved dancing would be an understatement, he attended dances all over the state and was well-known for it. He also enjoyed Stretchercize at the Senior Center, going on bus tours, and delivering Micon Cinema brochures to local Chippewa Falls business. He loved his job bagging groceries at Mega Foods, brightening people's days with his contagious happiness. He will be dearly missed.

George danced through life with a smile on his face. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He "lived" 98 years.

AFTERSERVICE:

A funeral service for George M. Wolding, 98, of Chippewa Falls was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Rick Hoyme officiated and music was provided by organist, Christine Hitt and the Chippewa Falls Senior Center Music Makers, accompanied by Judy Arnevik.

Casket bearers were: grandson, John Spare; grandsons-in-law, Jim Prijate, Pat Hepfler and Phil Sarazen; great-grandson, Tel Hepfler; and friend, Mike Olson.

Military honors provided by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council followed the service and Alec Bohan bugled "Taps." Interment will be in Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Rosholt.

During the visiting hours Tuesday evening at the funeral chapel, members of the Chippewa Falls Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #246 conducted a prayer service in honor of George.