Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WOLFF, Gustave "Gus"
WOLFF, Gustave J. “Gus” Wolff. (Burton, KS, Sept. 6, 1931--Dubuque, IA, Feb. 2, 2021). The son of John and Cora (Hunt) Wolff, Gus and his parents moved to Dubuque before he was of school-age. In 1949 he graduated from DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. He met his wife Elenore, in high school, and they later married on August 22, 1953, and in subsequent years raised 2 sons and 2 daughters. He graduated from the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE in June 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree and began his career as a science teacher in New London, Iowa. In 1958 moved back to Dubuque to continue his career first with the Science Department at Dubuque Senior High School, and later at JEFFERSON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. After retiring from teaching in 1992, he continued and expanded his house painting business for many more years. He and Elly enjoyed traveling the world as he loved learning about its peoples and cultures.
Gus also enjoyed many other part-time jobs and activities. He worked many summers as a lifeguard and manager at the former Municipal Pool (now Sutton pool), and for many winters worked with the outdoor ice rinks in Dubuque. These were perfect jobs for him, as he was a skilled swimmer, high-board diver, and a talented skater. He also volunteered as a counselor for the Summer Science Camp program, with the DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, and was a board member of the Dubuque Teachers’ Credit Union for many years. He was an active member of the DUBUQUE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. Some of his other favorite activities were tending his rose garden; playing handball; and enjoying cards, cribbage, board games, and dominoes with his family.
Besides being a teacher, he viewed himself as a student of life and was always desirous of learning new things. In 2013, he began a serious study of the Bible, which led to his decision to dedicate his life to the greatest Teacher of all, Jehovah God, and was baptized in 2014 as a disciple of Christ Jesus, beginning his ministry with the South Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dubuque. Gus was blessed with an infectious smile and was a wonderful conversationalist.
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Source:
Obituary, Dubuque Today by the Dubuque Advertiser.
