Karen Kay Wolfe, 83, of Thornton, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Preston Memorial Hospital. She was born September 14, 1941, in Marquess, a daughter of the late Julius Murray and Kathleen Bolyard Simpson.
Karen graduated from Fellowsville High School, Class of 1959 and from West Liberty College.
She retired as a dental hygienist from Dental Olympics in Fellowsville.
She was a member of the Sandy Creek CEOS, Sandy Pals 4-H Club, where she was a Leader and All-Star, and was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for Troop #4590.
Karen was also a very active member of the Mount Zion United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed reading, singing, traveling and camping.
Karen is survived by four children, Dr. Michael Wolfe, PhD of Louisburg, Kans., Tracey Clarkson and Matthew of Thornton, Dr. Lorn A. Wolfe, MD, and Tammy of Thornton, Amy Persons and Dr. Claude “Ricky” Jr., PhD of North Vernon, Ind.; 15 grandchildren, Malissa Villarreal and Xavier, Ethan Wolfe and Christina and their mother, Patricia Wolfe, Emma Rankin, William “Bill” Clarkson and Tori, Lorn “Grant” Wolfe, Anna Wolfe, Autumn Wolfe, Benton Wolfe and their mother, Shannon Wolfe, Kristopher Tusing and Hannah, Zackary Tusing, Grace Persons, Claude “Clay” Persons III, Zoe Persons and Josiah Persons; one great-grandchild, Tate Rankin; one sister, Cathy Cook of Fairmont; one brother, Julius Simpson and Pam of Fairmont; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by her husband, L. Darwin Wolfe in 2022.
Family and friends will be received in Bolyard Funeral Home, 79 Morgantown Avenue, Newburg, from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 23, and she will lie in repose from 1 until time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 24, in Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Marquess, with Pastor Margie Waybright and Brother Ricky Persons officiating. Interment will follow at the Mount Zion Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to the Mount Zion United Methodist Church, C/O Sherley Wolfe, 158 Runner Cut Road, Tunnelton, WV 26444; or Sandy Creek CEOS, C/O Stephanie Duncan, 1897 Stevensburg Road, Tunnelton, WV 26444.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.bolyardfuneralhomewv.com
