On April 22, 2023 at the age of 85, Lloyd Hughes Wolf went home to spend eternity with Jesus. He was born on August 3, 1937 in Keosauqua, Iowa to Donald Erskine and Emma Louise (Hughes) Wolf. He claimed until the day he died that his mother gave birth to him while on the couch watching TV.
Lloyd spent his formative years in Keosauqua and Moravia, IA. The stories to be told here are overwhelmingly numerous and possibly a bit embellished. Lloyd graduated from Ft Madison High School in 1955 and went to school at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt Pleasant, IA. He finished his teaching degree at Missouri Teacher’s College in Kirksville, MO.
On January 15,1960, Lloyd was united in marriage to Diana DeLuca in Ft. Madison, IA. He served in the Army Reserves and spent the next 8 years teaching Government at Knoxville High School (IL) and Bettendorf High School (IA). It was during this time that he and Diana became parents to their three children Laura, Don, and Lee. Lloyd returned to school and received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Iowa. He joined his lifelong friend, Bill Napier, in Ft Madison practicing law for the next 44 years, retiring in 2014 at age 76.
Lloyd had many interests. Among them was the Great Iowa State Fair. He was a lifelong attender and loved to spend his days with a sweet roll purchased under the Sky Glider (he often referred to them as “Sky Buns”), hanging out in the 4H building or Pioneer Hall, and having a Chop on a Stick. Many great memories were made there.
Lloyd was a lover of music. His vast appreciation ranged from Jazz to Country to Classical and made him a true connoisseur. He passed this love of music on to his kids and others who were around him. He was a brass player and sang bass. He loved singing in choir. Lloyd also loved going to Drum and Bugle Corps events. His son Don marched with his favorite corps, The Colts - Iowa’s Ambassadors of Music.
Lloyd loved spending time with his family and especially his granddaughters. Trips to Chicago, Colorado, and Hawaii with the grandkids stood as some of his fondest memories. Lloyd and Diana were also world travelers, visiting amazing places like Hawaii, Israel, Rome, London, and about 40 State Capitols. They also loved to make stops in towns like Pella, Dubuque, Sioux City, and Spillville in their beloved state of Iowa!
Of all the things that shaped Lloyd’s life, nothing was more important than his relationship with Jesus Christ. He spent extensive time studying God’s word and becoming an ardent apologist for Christianity. He taught Sunday School for years and affected many lives for Christ at Harmony Bible Church, Burlington Evangelical Free Church, and the First Baptist Church of Ft Madison. He also spent many special Sunday nights at Joy Baptist Church in Ft Madison. If he had one last message for all it would be that you consider who Jesus Christ is and the free gift of eternal life He offers to all.
It is certain that Lloyd is sitting at a table on the back porch of his mansion having some philosophical discussions with CS Lewis and Francis Schaeffer, singing in the Heavenly Choir, Playing trumpet in God’s Brass Band, and worshiping at the feet of his savior. We can’t wait to see him again.
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Lloyd is survived by his wife, Diana Wolf of Ft. Madison; daughter, Laura (Troy) Chambers of Burlington; son, Don Wolf of Ft Madison; son Lee (Cindy) Wolf of Mediapolis; granddaughter Kylie Wolf of Overland Park, KS; granddaughters Rachel Wolf and Emily Wolf of Denver CO; niece, Anne Wolf of West Des Moines; and nephew, Nate Wolf of Johnston. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wayne Wolf, and two nephews, Marcus and Matt Wolf.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, April 27, 2023 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. Private graveside services and burial will be at the Purdom Cemetery, Keosauqua, Iowa. A memorial has been established for the First Baptist Church, Mission Fund, contributions may be left at Barr Memorial Chapel. Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Wolf family and an online guest book may be found at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.
