Jeanette Hendrika Niemoller-Wolf

Jeanette Wolf, 86, of Puyallup, Washington peacefully passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015. Her last residence was Emeritus of Steel Lake Memory Care in Federal Way, Washington. Jeanette was the first child born to Johan and Roza Niemoller on November 26, 1928 in Batavia, The Dutch East Indies (which became modern day Indonesia after World War II). She was the eldest of 14 children (9 pre-war and 5 post war) and lived a happy childhood until the invasion of the Japanese Army in 1942. Jeanette as well as countless Dutch citizens were interned and held in prison camp until the end of the war in 1945. Following the war, Jeanette repatriated to the Netherlands with her family. She was married to the love of her life, Peter G. Wolf (also from the Dutch East Indies) for 46 years until his death in 1997. Together, they had two children before immigrating to the United States in November of 1956 and two more children were born in the United States. Jeanette proudly became a citizen of the United States in August of 1963. She graduated from Cleveland State University in 1971 with her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with her major in Accounting. Her career included a position as an Auditor with the IRS. Jeanette retired from her career in 1990. Jeanette immigrated from The Netherlands to York, Pennsylvania. From there, she lived in Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Maple Heights, Ohio; Edina, Minnesota; Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Lakeland, Florida; and came to Puyallup, Washington in 2002. She is survived by her children, Peter Wolf and his family from Piqua, Ohio, Ingrid Crosbie and her family of Puyallup, Washington, Jeff Wolf and his family of Apple Valley, Minnesota and Liz Frank and her family of Minnetonka, Minnesota. She will also be greatly missed by 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, her brothers and sisters Lies Wigman and her husband Jack Wigman of Australia; Margreet van Wijk-Niemoller of The Netherlands; Henk and Ria Niemoller of The Netherlands; Ben and Nel Niemoller of Australia; Guusje Niemoller-Smallenbrook and her husband Hans Smallenbrook of The Netherlands; Jan and Marjan Niemoller of The Netherlands; Ike Niemoller-Hubers of The Netherlands; and Rob Niemoller and Wilma Vellekoop of the Netherlands; her sister in law Joan Niemoller of Canada; her sister in law Margaretha Hermann of Vero Beach, FL; her sister in law Meis Wolf of the Netherlands; her brother in law Dick Jongejan of The Netherlands along with cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Jeanette Wolf was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend and cherished by all who knew her. Her life experience taught her survival and perseverance which equipped her to be a source of great strength and wisdom for others. She understood the value of freedom having lived a portion of her life in captivity. She was honored to become a citizen of the United States and to serve her nation as an employee in the IRS. She lived fully, loved unconditionally, gave generously and maintained her independence for as long as she could until her advancing Alzheimer’s required more care. The family will remember Jeanette at a Celebration of Life Event on Friday evening, July 24, 2015 at Arneson Acres in Edina, Minnesota. In Lieu of Flowers, the family would appreciate donations made In Jeanette Wolf’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association to further research to improving quality of life and finding a cure. Donations may be made online at: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp