Dena C. Wolfe, age 87, passed away January 9, 2016. Dena was born and raised in Stockton, and attended Stockton High School, graduating in 1946. After graduating high school, she attended the College of Pacific, earning her Associate of Arts degree, and then worked at Sharpe Army Depot as an accountant. Several years later, she met, fell in love with, and married Elmer Wolfe.
   When it began time to have a family, Dena quit working at Sharpe Army Depot to take care of the family.  Dena was active in numerous school and youth organizations, from PTA at French Camp School and East Union High School, East Union Athletic Boosters, East Union Ag Boosters, and running the concession stand at the French Camp Little League games.  She was also an adult leader in the French Camp 4-H club for many years.  She loved making jellies and canning fruits and vegetables and teaching this to the children.  Besides being a full time mom, Dena was busy helping Elmer with the family farm, where they grew alfalfa hay and almonds.  When the children were grown, she returned to work at Sharpe Army Depot and worked until her retirement.  In her later years, he enjoyed having breakfast with her friends and family at Cafe Azteca on Saturday mornings and playing bocce every Wednesday with friends at the Italian Athletic Club.
   A life-long fan of the San Francisco Giants, Dena was also a member of many organizations, including The Native Daughters of the Golden West Auxiliary, the Italian Athletic Club, Waterloo Gun and Bocce Club, and St. Basil’s Greek Orthodox Church. 
  She is preceded in death by her husband, Elmer C. Wolfe Jr., her parents, Stavros Mitsanis (Steve Mitchell) and Marigo Pantelopoulos (Mary  Poullos), and her siblings, Bella McCauley, Angelo Mitchell, and Clara Kalomiris.
   She is survived by her children, Mari (Gary) Robinson of Stockton, Elmer C. “Buddy” (Beth) Wolfe, III, of Kennesaw, GA, and Gary (Tess) Wolfe of Garden Ridge, TX. She also leaves behind his grandchildren, Kenny Noack, Brett Noack, Bruce Wolfe, Brianna Wolfe, Matthew Wolfe, and Tiffany Wolfe, and one great- grand daughter, Abbigail Wolfe.  Dena will be missed dearly by her family and the many friends she leaves behind.
   Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Palms Mortuary, 303 South California Street, Stockton, from 12-4 p.m., on Tuesday, January 17th. Trisagion (Memorial Service) will be held at St. Basil’s Greek Orthodox Church, 920 W. March Lane, Stockton, CA, Tuesday January 17, at 5p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Basil’s on Wednesday, January 18, at 10 a.m., with burial at Stockton Rural Cemetery. A light lunch in honor of Dena will be held at St. Basil’s after the burial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Basil’s Memorial Fund or Hospice of San Joaquin.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Monday, January 16, 2017