Carl Wolf

Carl Wolf passed away on Sept. 10, 2024, with his daughters by his side, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Carl was born on Nov. 17, 1931, in Glenridge, New Jersey. He graduated from the University of Delaware with an engineering degree and from the Wharton School of Business with a master’s degree in finance.

After graduate school he went to work for Standard Oil, living in New York City. While on a business trip to Billings, Montana, he met the love of his life, Carol Chakos. After a whirlwind romance, they married in 1962. Work took them to Princeton, New Jersey, Coral Gables, Florida, and El Salvador. During this time, two daughters were added to the family: Paige in 1965 and Sara in 1968.

A change of career sent the family to the Philadelphia area in 1968, where Carl worked for a financial firm. While in Philadelphia, he and Carol became Christians and their life took a different turn. Carl quit his job and became a janitor for a year before they moved to Billings in 1974 to be near family.

Carl was a problem-solver and he had a brilliant mind for finances. He used these gifts to enrich others’ lives and help them advance their dreams. Oftentimes, those he helped became lifelong friends. Carl worked most of his career for Hines Motor Supply. The Hines brothers became like family to him and he loved his time working for them. Later in his career, he worked for Faith Chapel and the relationships he and Carol built there continued to sustain him the rest of his days. He also served on the board of IDEA. His work with IDEA and his relationship with Dennis Drake gave him a great sense of meaning.

He and Carol were generous to many people, opening up their home to people in need and their cabin in Nye to friends, time and time again. If they had their way, the cabin never sat empty, a spare car wouldn’t sit idle or a bedroom go unused.

He was intensely proud of and interested in the lives of his granddaughters. He enjoyed spending time with them, cooking meals, teaching them to mow the lawn, playing cribbage, or floating on the Stillwater River.

Carl loved a competitive game of cribbage, usually played with Kelly and Bill. He even managed to find a new friend, Lee, to play with him at St. Johns. He enjoyed eating a good meal with friends or family. He cherished his 40+ years of weekly lunches with his good friend Darrell. He liked wine from a jug poured into a plastic cup. His cars were basic models with no upgrades. A can of near beer was a must after mowing the lawn. He always had two pairs of white tennis shoes, one for mowing and a good pair for going out. Meals on the deck of the cabin were his favorite and doubling the sauce in any recipe was required.

He touched a great many lives. His shining example of wisdom, integrity and compassion will be his lasting legacy.

A huge thank you to Scott for building the beautiful pine box for our father to be laid to rest next to Carol in Nye in a private ceremony.

Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Carol. He is survived by two daughters, Paige (Dave) Legare and Sara (Brad) Johnson; granddaughters Katie (Cody) Seibert, Morgan Legare, Riley Legare, Emery Legare, Grace Johnson and Ruth Johnson; and great-grandson, Jayden Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, Carl would be honored if you donated to the Democratic candidate of your choice.