Karalee (Gramse) Wolf

On January 30th at 7am Karalee Susanne Wolf was lifted up to Heaven.  She was met at Heaven’s gate by her parents Bea and Elmer Gramse along with her many aunts and uncles. Karalee was the beloved wife of Craig Wolf, the loved mother of Chris Wolf (Masha) and Erin Sauer (Greg), and adored grandmother of Mila Wolf, and Owen and Evelyn Sauer.  She was the dear sister of Avalee, Mark (Laurie) and Lonnie Gramse. 

Karalee was born and raised in Green Lake WI.  She spoke fondly of her time at “the farm” with her brothers and sisters, where they would seek adventures and occasionally partake in good ol' fashion mischief.  Karalee did well at school; not surprisingly - as her father was a teacher.  After graduating high school, Kara completed cosmetology school and moved to Milwaukee to work as a hairdresser.  Shortly after she was set up on a blind date by her most loyal client, Bea Wolf.  On this blind date she met a charming and incredibly funny man named Craig.  He somehow convinced her to marry him and they were joined before the Lord and friends and family on September 12th, 1970.  Eventually, the cold Midwest winters pushed them to leave Wisconsin and drive across country in their 1969 Corvette to their new home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. 

In Monroe WA, they built a family home on acreage and started a family of one boy and one girl, and many animals.   Craig worked as a Sheriff's Deputy and Kara continued to dress hair and care for the children.  She made being a mother look easy; family was always her priority in life and brought her immense joy. Once the children were older, Kara took a job with State Farm Insurance, working there until she eventually retired in 2014.  Upon retirement, Craig and Kara moved from Monroe to Enumclaw, in order to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.

In 2000 Kara started her long journey with breast cancer.  She never let it keep her down and it never stole her joy.  

Kara was known for her selflessness and love of family; she always thought of others before herself.  She enjoyed trips back to Wisconsin to visit family and friends, drives in the Corvette with her husband, as well as gardening and feeding birds.  Kara's delight met a new high with the birth of her first grandchild, Mila Wolf.  It was doubled again with the introduction of 2 more grandchildren Owen and Evelyn Sauer.  From that point on all focus was turned toward them.  Even towards the end of her life, spending time with family, friends, and grandchildren would lift her spirits and give her a strength and energy that was profound.

Kara will be remembered for her quick wit, her bottomless love and propensity for being awesome.  She constantly displayed a positive and joyful attitude while handling the ups and downs of living with cancer.  The Lord fulfilled his promise of a new body and home, and Kara is waiting patiently till we see each other again.

In lieu of flowers please take your family out to dinner and enjoy yourselves.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karalee (Gramse) Wolf, please visit our floral store.