Gerald Wayne Wolf
May 30, 1931 -
Aug 27, 2025
Longtime Anchorage, Alaska, resident, businessman and community leader Gerald Wayne "Jerry" Wolf passed away on Aug. 27, 2025, at the age of 94, with his two sons by his side.
Jerry was born at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, on May 30, 1931, to Howard and Carolyn Wolf.
He lived with his parents and younger brother in West Liberty, Iowa, until he was 16 years old. As a child of the Depression, he worked before and after school to help his family. He enjoyed Sunday dinners at Grandma Wolf's farm and hanging out with his cousins.
When his dad's twin brothers Ray and Robert wanted Jerry's father to help run their new store, Jerry moved with his family to Anchorage in 1947. He attended Anchorage High School and graduated in spring 1948. Following his graduation, Jerry's family moved back to Iowa, but Jerry remained behind to work for his uncles and earn money for college. That was his first experience selling Maytag washers and dryers, an advocation that would continue his entire adult life.
After a year of working, Jerry enrolled at the University of Iowa, where he was active in both intramural diving and jazz band.
While in college, Jerry received a draft notice for the Korean War from the Army. So, he put college on hold and enlisted in the Navy. Jerry was stationed at Ream Field Imperial Beach in San Diego, Calif., and was assigned to Helicopter Squadron #1 (HU-1) as a helicopter crewman. He had two deployments to the Arctic on the icebreakers: USCGC Northwind and USS Burton Island.
While stationed in San Diego, Jerry met LaVonne Coffey on Imperial Beach. They got married on June 21, 1953, in Chula Vista, Calif. That was the beginning of a 65-year long partnership based on love of family, hard work, and customer and community service.
After the birth of their first son, Tom, and Jerry's discharge from the Navy, the young couple moved to Anchorage in January 1955 and lived in and managed the Wolhoy Apartments for Ray and Esther Wolfe, and Harry and Norma Hoyt. Jerry also worked at Wolfe's Department Store. Their second son Greg was born in 1957.
In those early years in Anchorage, Jerry was a member and officer of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. His responsibilities at Wolfe's also increased, he first worked at and then managed the Bayros Store and then went on to manage Wolfe's Home Furnishings.
In 1958, Jerry and LaVonne purchased property on the north shore of Big Lake. Jerry always said this was one of the best investments they ever made. Up until the end of his life, he loved his time at the cabin.
In 1962, Jerry and LaVonne purchased their first home on the corner of 8th Avenue and K Street. Soon after, they purchased two apartment buildings across the street from their home. Jerry remodeled all the apartments in those buildings after work and on weekends. This was the beginning of many real estate investments they made over the years.
In 1970, when Jerry's uncles retired, Jerry and LaVonne purchased his uncles' store inventory and started a new business, Wolf's Home Furnishings, on the corner of 5th Avenue and G Street. Jerry led the sales team while LaVonne managed back-office operations.
They also started two laundromats, one in Anchorage and the other in Wasilla, that provided coin operated machines, and wash, dry and fold service for customer's laundry.
In the late 1980s, they downsized to Wolf's Maytag Home Appliance Center and Wolf's Homestyle Laundry and then after LaVonne's retirement in 2012, to Wolf's Distributing. Jerry lived by his business philosophy: "It's not all about profit. If you provide a quality product with great service, profitability will follow."
Jerry was active in community service. He served on the Municipality's Parking and Equal Rights Commissions, and he was a longtime member and past President of the Downtown Anchorage Association. In 1980, Jerry along with several other Alaska businessmen flew to Washington, D.C., to participate in the White House Conference on Small Business. He was also awarded a lifetime membership to the Anchorage Ski Club for his volunteer efforts at Arctic Valley.
Jerry was an active member of Rotary his entire adult life, with over 54 years of perfect attendance. When traveling, Jerry would attend local Rotary meetings to maintain his perfect attendance. Jerry was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International for his service.
Jerry was a lifetime member of Igloo #15 of the Pioneers of Alaska. He was honored to serve as an officer and then in his favorite role as King Regent for 2024 and 2025.
Most important to Jerry was his family. He and LaVonne were selfless and devoted to making sure their sons were able to have opportunities that they did not have.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his life and always in his thoughts. He enjoyed babysitting his grandchildren as they grew up and later, he lived for their trips home with his great-grandchildren and their frequent phone conversations.
Jerry lived his life with this goal in mind, "Work to make each day better for yourself and the people around you."
Goal achieved! Life well lived!
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, LaVonne; parents, Howard and Carolyn; brother, Gene; an infant sister; and daughter-in-law, Melissa Wolf (Greg).
He is survived by his sons, Tom (Lisa) and Greg; grandchildren, Erik (Lauren) and Taylor; great-grandchildren, Theo, Josie and Tucker; sister-in-law, Effie Bidleman (Dave); several cousins; and nieces and nephews.
Jerry was laid to rest with Military Honors on Sept. 12, 2025, with LaVonne's ashes by his side in the Pioneers of Alaska section of the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.
A celebration of life will be held at the Pioneer's Hall, 612 F Street, Second Floor in Anchorage, at 2 p.m., on Nov. 15, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the LaVonne E. Wolf Small Business Administration scholarship at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Donations can be made online at: https://engage.alaska.edu/uaa/cbpp. Please click "other" and specify "LaVonne E. Wolf Small Business Administration scholarship fund."
