Obituary of Shane Wolfe

B I O G R A P H Y WOLFE: Shane Douglas Wolfe passed away suddenly near Kitscoty, Alberta on Friday, April 6, 2007 at the age of 33 years. Shane is survived by: his loving wife Tracey Earl-Wolfe and their children Mackenzie and Gage all of Kitscoty; his parents, Ted and Diane Wolfe of Lloydminster; his sister Leslie and Dan Young of Lloydminster; his brother Chad Wolfe of Grande Prairie; his mother-in-law Sharon Earl of Kitscoty; brother-in-law Ryan Earl and his wife Melissa of Kitscoty; nieces and nephews: Shaylene Earl, Abbigail Earl, Cassidy Young Mitchell Young, Beiven Young and JD Earl; his grandmother Winnifred Dewey of Red Deer; Gordon Dewey as well as numerous other relatives. Shane was predeceased by Edward Wolfe and Leslie Dewey. The funeral service for Shane was conducted from the Kitscoty Agriplex, Kitscoty, Alberta on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. A eulogy was given by Kevin Brooks. The organist was Donna Eyben. Active pallbearers were: Kevin Brooks, Darren Nickless, Troy Ferguson, Chad Wolfe, Dan Young and Phil Clifford. Interment will follow in the Kitscoty Cemetery at a later date. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy of Shane Douglas Wolfe Good morning, my name is Kevin Brooks. I cannot say what an honor it is to be able to stand before you and tell you a little about the life of Shane Douglas Wolfe. Although reading this is extremely hard, writing it came surprisingly easy, as so many happy thoughts came to mind when remembering the life and times of Shane. It’s not too often when you can honestly say… that someone was liked by all, but Shane is one of those select few. What you seen are what you got with Shane. He never pretended to be someone else, always remaining the good-hearted, gentle man that we all knew him as. Shane truly was one of the good guys. Shane Douglas Wolfe was born on Sept. 6, 1973 in Edmonton, AB. In 1978 he moved to Lloydminster. As a child, Shane was very active, much like Gage is today. His love for the outdoors started young, at the local outdoor rink is where you would most find him during the winter months. During the summer months Shane would often stay in the basement out of the heat. Growing up with Shane was interesting. Leslie and Chad found out that Shane often used any means necessary to get his point across, like cracking Chad in the head with a frozen chunk of salami, or Leslie having a chicken wing chucked at her so hard it left a wing shape bruise. Shane’s work experience was minimal, having only three jobs in his lifetime, Safeway, ICG Propane, and on Lanco Rig #3 for the past 13 years. Thirteen years in which Shane truly loved. We often asked Shane why he never pursued a consulting job or an operator. He always answered by saying that it never seemed like work, working with Kim and Dean. Shane never thought of you as co-workers, but as true friends. Shane met his true love, Tracey Earl at Troy and Tara Ferguson’s stag/stagette party, then like Shane only would, took her on their first date gopher hunting. When Shane proposed to Tracey he was nervous beyond compare. When he got down on one knee to propose, he put his knee squarely in the middle of Tracey’s foot which made her squeal. Tracey and Shane were married Oct. 9, 1999. Mackenzie enriched their lives upon her arrival on Feb. 19, 2001. Our strong as nails Shane had to be propped up on a stool by the nurses during the delivery. On Oct. 25, 2004 Tracey and Shane became parents again to their 2nd child. Shane was excited that he got to pick out the name. Forever the hunter, he chose Gage for a reason. Shane couldn’t wait until Gage turned 10 & 12 years old. That way Shane could call him 10 Gage and 12 Gage. In June 2006 his family moved to Shane’s ideal house in Kitscoty, Alberta. He loved the open area, and the big garage where he could still tinker with his taxidermy interests. He also loved the patio overlooking the highway. Shane always looked forward to him and Tracey being able to sit out on the patio with a double double and chatting about everything and nothing all at the same time while watching the cars on the highway. Shane’s truly happiest moments are the moments he spent with Tracey and his kids, whether it was playing mini-stick hockey with Gage, or having a tea party with Mackenzie. Shane always had time for Tracey and their kids. For Shane, being outdoors with a buck in his sights was as good as it could get. He had an absolute passion for hunting, and to include Ted, Dan, Darren, or any other hunting friends made it all that much better. If you could buy a license to hunt camels in Saskatchewan, Shane would have tried it! Shane would plan his hunting trips far in advance, but always forgetting one crucial item.. toilet paper. One time Ted and Dan were waiting for Shane to come out of the bush, after a while of waiting, out came Shane looking 10 lbs. lighter, and no sleeves on his once long sleeve shirt. Shane often told Darren socks and back pockets could do in a pinch. Ted, Darren, Phil, Ron, Ray, Jeremy, Danton, and I all had the privilege of going to one of Shane’s favorite spots. We all went fishing with him at Bear Lake, a fly-in camp that is north of LaRonge, SK. On the night before our big trips, Shane would always make his routine trip to Canadian Tire. There he would purchase every style of a hook imaginable, but always hiding one hook away from all to see. Only when we were at the lake would he pull out the “Sure Thing,” and tie it onto his line. Only to have it get tangled in the rocks on his first cast, then cutting the line after 20 minutes of four letter words. Ted, Shane often told me the best time he had, was the time you were able to come to Bear Lake. He always talked of that trip more than the others. I think he liked watching you on the plane, he would say that you would turn 50 shades of pale. If you ever needed to reach Shane on a Sunday, you would easily be able to find him relaxing in his recliner watching NASCAR. Shane was the only guy that I knew who could easily name every driver, their car number and their car sponsors. He could explain every rule in terms that even I would understand it. Number 22 was Shane’s favorite car. When it came across the line to finish first, I’m sure the neighbors heard. Another of Shane’s interests was following our Edmonton Oilers. Many people would often kid us why we were so infatuated with our team. I think the reason is because it brought out the kids in both of us. Our hockey collections may be a waste to some, but to Shane and me it’s all pure gold. For Shane to sit and watch a game was a chore in itself. He had to make sure everything was in its rite place. For example, #1. The kids had to be in their Oiler pajamas. #2. He had to have his favorite beverage, and a certain number of them next to him in his special chair. Once they were open, he would line up the caps on his arm rest, careful not to bump them off. If the Oilers were doing good, sometimes not even Tracey would be allowed to leave her chair. #3. I was never allowed to talk to Shane on game days. We would hold off our conversation until the next day that the Oilers didn’t play. Even the time Shane got us tickets to a playoff game last year. I’m sure we could have sat together, but Shane I think made sure we were far apart so we wouldn’t talk and jinx the Oilers. At that game I truly saw the kid come out in Shane, because his eyes were as big as saucers and he told me he literally had goose bumps the whole game. I will always remember our time spent watching or talking hockey. We would always solve the Oiler’s problems over a couple of beers. I’m not sure why Kevin Lowe or Craig MacTavish couldn’t see it as clearly as we did. Oiler games will never be the same without you Shane, but I know you will always be there beside me to cheer, and I hope you will allow me to talk with you sometimes on game days. Ted, Diane, Leslie, Chad and family… Shane’s personality, thoughts and values were only a reflection on how you raised him as a son and as a brother. I know that these same traits that you have taught Shane; Shane was teaching Mackenzie and Gage. You were a terrific family and Shane knew this, because he spoke of you all highly and often. Shane has left for you two beautiful grandchildren so you may see a little bit of Shane grow up all over again. Mackenzie and Gage, I cannot tell you how special your father was, because there are no words to describe it. You 2 are responsible for putting a twinkle in your father’s eyes, a twinkle that shone bright for all to see. He thought the world of both of you and was as proud as any father could have been. You both are young but Shane’s memory will always stay strong with the help of family and friends, and I hope there is comfort knowing that your dad will always be near. Tracey, no one can believe how strong you have been. Shane is looking down and sees your strength and knows you will be fine. Tracey, you truly were Shane’s soul mate and absolute friend. Shane’s step was a little springier and his smile a little wider whenever you were around. Shane loved you; Mackenzie and Gage with all of his heart, you three were the world to Shane. Eventually Tracey, the tears will stop flowing but Shane’s memories will last forever. To all here today, we are all saddened by Shane’s sudden passing, but time will heal all wounds. We all have our cherished memories of Shane, keep these memories strong in our hearts and in our minds, for when today’s sadden sun goes down, tomorrow’s sun will rise, a truly brighter day. Shane, you are now in a place where you throw back the 10 pound jacks, and the 200 point bucks are a dime a dozen. Shane may you rest in peace. Card of Thanks Special thanks to Lyndsy Hines for creating the slide show, Bill and Marty Earl at TB System Solutions for the use of the projector and screen, Louise at Scrapbook Cottage for creating Mackenzie and Gage’s memory book, Kevin Brooks for doing such a terrific job with Shane’s eulogy. To Troy Ferguson for reading Mom’s tribute to Shane, as well as marrying Tara so Shane and I could meet in the first place. To the pallbearers: Kevin Brooks, Darren Nickless, Phil Clifford, Troy Ferguson, Chad Wolfe and Dan Young, Shane was so lucky to have friends like you. Dean Hanson and Kim Hanson, Shane couldn’t have asked for better people to work with. Reverend Bob for your comforting words. The ladies who put on lunch. Those of you who sent flowers, food baskets, and made donations to Mackenzie and Gage’s Trust Fund - THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. To the Kitscoty Hall who took donations during their dinner theater, Thank you doesn’t seem like enough. Neither do wow, amazing nor any other adjective I can think of. The generosity of the community is truly appreciated. Tracey, Mackenzie & Gage Wolfe Ted & Diane Wolfe Les & Dan Young Chad Wolfe Donations in memory of Shane may be made to a Trust Fund for Mackenzie and Gage.