Terry Wolfert

Terry Ray Wolfert, 61, passed on August 9, 2010. Terry was born on February 12, 1949, in Omaha, Nebraska and was the first born son of Raymond and Carolyn Wolfert. The Wolferts moved to Topeka in 1953 where Terry and his brother Todd have lived off and on since. Terry graduated from Highland Park High School in 1967 and married Patsy Pingry in 1968. Terry's only child, Tracey, was born in Topeka in 1969 and continued to be a central focus and force in his life.

Following academic stints at Washburn University and a brief engagement with the U.S. Army, Terry's professional life spanned areas as diverse as his interests and curious nature allowed. Having started out as a clothing industry representative on the road regionally and locally for Mr. Guy Clothing store, Terry also took time to briefly teach tennis at the Topeka Country Club, operate and collect for his own antique furniture and accessory business, freelanced as a contract painter and faux finishing artist, and spent several years working with TPAC as a set, design and lighting technician and manager. Hobbies and passions for Terry included the outdoors, fishing, canoeing the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, utilizing an inherently green thumb for gardening with a flair for peppers and tomatoes, and using his fresh foods to cook interesting and diverse dishes.

More than anything, Terry loved his family and friends. The various ways Terry was able to share his love with family and friends was complemented by his ability to appreciate and accept their love and support. The extension of his open and loving nature was present to the end and felt most directly by his immediate family and a list of past and present friends too large to mention. To say Terry will be missed is not enough to explain the void his love, compassion and good natured spirit will be leaving in those that knew him.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Carolyn Wolfert and survived by his daughter Tracey McAbee and son-in-law Chris McAbee of Phoenix, Arizona, brother and dear friend Todd Wolfert, nephews Graham Wolfert and Cody Wolfert, all of Topeka, Kansas.

A Memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday August 12, 2010 at the Penwell-Gable Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Marian Clinic, 1001 SW Garfield Avenue, Topeka, Kansas, 66604.