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Catherine “Renee” Wolf, age 68, of Constantine, passed away Friday, December 9, 2022 at Three Rivers Health. She was born in Battle Creek on August 14,1954 a daughter of Avril and Elizabeth (Mix) Cruce. Renee graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1972. On August 29, 1981 she married Frederick W. Wolf in Constantine. He preceded her in death December 22, 2018.
Most people knew her as Renee, the T-shirt lady. As a young married woman Renee worked for Grumman Olsen in Sturgis. But, Renee was an artist with many talents. In 1987, as she became a new mother wanting to stay home with her son, she opened her own graphics/ silk-screening business in Constantine under the name of the Wildflower Collection. For almost 35 years Renee created art on shirts that so many of us enjoyed. She served many area schools, community teams, businesses, and festivals. She loved honoring the 4-H community by creating the St. Joe County Grange Fair shirt for 30 years. The quality of her work stood for itself as the shirts wore out before the printing! Renee continued expanding her business by adding embroidery and special effect printing techniques. In 2012, her son joined the business and they changed the name to Wolf Graphics.
Renee was a member of the Constantine United Methodist Church. She loved Jesus and she loved to study and sketch people…especially in Church! Renee was an avid reader with a room full of books and a worn library card! Renee also loved bluegrass music and even played a little on the banjo. It brought her great joy to hear her son “rock-out” on his guitar!
Renee was more comfortable sketching than sharing, yet truly cared about the people she encountered in her life. She worked hard always wanting to give the best product, make other’s visions come alive, make people laugh, and listen about their lives. One of her proudest accomplishments was that of being a mother. She dearly loved her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Surviving Renee are her son Frederick S. Wolf; step-daughters Carrie (Matthew) Burns, Shuree (Chante) Wolf; several step-grandchildren and great grandchildren; brothers John (Marcie) Cruce, Jeff (Stephanie) Cruce, A.L. (Ruth) Cruce; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 2 step-granddaughters; sister Ellen Young and brother Mike Cruce.
Cremation has taken place. Relatives and friends will be received Saturday December 17, 2022 from 10 to 11 AM at Constantine United Methodist Church. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 with a luncheon following the service. Pastor Karen Wheat will be officiating. Interment will take place at 2:00 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Sturgis. Memorial contributions may be made to the Constantine Township Public Library. Please visit Renee’s memorial page to sign her guest book and leave a memory for her family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
