Ilse Trienchen Wolf

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved mother Ilse Wolf (nee Kleibor), a woman of beauty, strength and self-resilience. 

Ilse’s story begins overseas, where she was born and raised in Northern Germany during World War II. The war years taught her survival at a young age and made her the woman as we know her. She left her homeland at the age of 17 to seek opportunity in Sweden. Ilse was soon sponsored by her best friend’s husband to come to the USA where she lived the rest of her days. Humble beginnings started in the Detroit Metropolitan area and later moving to the Upper Peninsula after retirement. Ilse and Walter spent their final years in the dream house on the beloved shores on Lake Michigan in Naubinway Michigan. 

Ilse’s motto was always “family first.” She was a devoted daughter, sister, and wife to the late Walter Wolf, her husband of 60 years; where they met at the German-American Culture Club in Detroit. She was a proud mother of 4 children; Christine, James, Carolyn and Annette. A doting grandmother to 8 grandchildren; Chad, Emily, Brandi, Kristyn, Zachary, Jacob, Jacquelyn and Bridget and 2 great grandchildren; Ezri and Lochlan. 

Ilse’s pioneering spirit brought her to live in 3 countries before she was 20 years old. Her emphatic heart and life experiences ultimately brought her to her lifelong profession as a special education paraprofessional at Glen Peters School teaching children with developmental disabilities for over two decades. She loved all her students and was their strongest advocate. Ilse was an active member of the Catholic Church. She started at St. Thecla and practiced devoutly for nearly 70 years. She made many friends along her journey of life at home, work and church communities. Her hobbies included stain glass art, listening to classical music, flowers of all kinds and wildlife. Ilse is survived by her daughters Christine Markov (husband Larry), Carolyn Wolf (husband Andrew Phipps) and Annette Azar(husband Raymond). She is preceded in death by her husband Walter, son James, daughter-in-law Lynn and parents Bruno and Mina Kleibor and brother Bruno.

A mass will be held at St. Thecla Church at 12pm with visitation starting at 11am. Address 20740 S. Nunnely Rd, Clinton Township MI 49035.