WOLF, Judy

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

Wolf, Judy. (Colesburg, IA-- ). Judy Wolf became the 51st recipient of the Telegraph Herald's FIRST CITIZEN AWARD in 2020 amid accolades from former recipients of the award and community leaders of Dubuque. In one of many praises, Nicole Ganz, a member of the STEEPLE SQUARE Board of Directors, when nominating Wolf for a recent “Everyday Hero” recognition, wrote:

             Wolf only had eight months of experience overseeing the 
             child care center when the coronavirus pandemic struck 
             in March. While COVID-19 threatened the health of teachers
             and students, worried the parents who began working from 
             home and changed operations with the introduction of masks, 
             social-distancing practices and temperature checks. 

             Judy was ... incredibly resourceful, finding the center 
             grants and other COVID relief opportunities. Judy also 
             used her vast finance experience to navigate the 
             (Paycheck Protection Program) loans and other governmental 
             programs to help with COVID relief. Did I mention Judy is 
             ‘just’ a volunteer? A newly appointed board president to a 
             newly opened, nonprofit child care center? It is truly 
             admirable what she has accomplished in 2020. (1)

Wolf's abilities that were tested by the PANDEMIC were honed at the JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS. Beginning at the company in a clerical position, she resumed her college education in the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE with a master's degree in accounting and business administration. She began working in accounting at Deere in 1989 and retired in 2011 as a division manager. (2)

Working at Deere revealed to her the importance of the United Way. Beginning as a donor, she learned of the organization's many programs and eventually led the Dubuque Work's internal donation program for many years. In 2009, as division manager for service parts in John Deere's worldwide construction and forestry division, Wolf helped lead the company's United Way campaign. In 2010 she served as co-chairperson of the local campaign with Tom Giese. (3) Just prior to her retirement, Wolf joined the local United Way’s board of directors and in 2012 co-chaired the organization’s 2012 fundraising campaign with Gary DOLPHIN. To her the organization is ‘the mutual fund of the not-for-profits.’ An "investor" has "trained specialists from many areas of the community looking at the most critical needs and making dollars are invested wisely.” She became the United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States, resource development chairwoman and member of its executive committee. (4)

Wolf has helped lead local United Way fundraising campaigns and served on boards for nonprofit organizations that provided counseling to individuals and families, financial literacy for young people and Catholic education to local students. The Greater Tri-State Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals named Wolf its Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropist in 2014. She served on the board of JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE HEARTLAND and was a frequent member of its Hall of Fame Committee. (5) She was also a member of the board of CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE and DuTrac Community Credit Union. To help raise funds for HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE, she recruited gourmet chefs from the tri-state area to prepare a five-course meal for 200 people as part of a benefit dinner and live auction in 2017. The event raised $45,000. Wolf volunteered in leadership roles at ST. COLUMBKILLE CATHOLIC CHURCH and with HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. She was instrumental in the organizing of Holy Family’s Circle of Celebration, an annual fundraising event formerly known as the Golden Gala. (6) In 2014 she was honored by the Greater Tri-State Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals with its "Outstanding Volunteer Award." The citation noted that she served on the boards of organizations listed above and in addition Mothers Prayers USA and the Holy Family Catholic Schools Circle of Celebration Core Committee. (7) In 2015 she was asked to participate with other community and business leaders in a Dubuque Area Youth Leadership Council (DAYLC) panel for one hundred of the area's top youth leaders. (8)

According to Wolf, mentoring a girl at AUDUBON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL from first grade until she left the school gave her a first exposure to disadvantaged children. “It was an eye-opener for me to see at a very young age how home life was affecting how those kids performed in school and what their outlook on life was. I really recognized the importance of being able to be a listener and a mentor to them to help guide them to better decisions as they grow up.” (9)

Years later Wolf was asked if she would be interested in assisting with the finances at Steeple Square. In what evolved into a nearly 40-hour-per-week job, she became the president of Marita Theisen Childcare Center. Located at Steeple Square, the Center is part of a continuing project to transform the former St. Mary’s Catholic Parish property at East 15th and White streets into a campus offering a community/event center, apartments, offices for nonprofit organizations and child care. (1)

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Source:

1. Hogstrom, Erik, "TH First Citizen Award Winner: Wolf Involved, 'Heart and Soul'", Telegraph Herald, January 1, 2021, p. 1A

2. Ibid.

3. Hogstrom, Erik, "United Way Fundraising Campaign Leaders Optimistic," Telegraph Herald, September 15, 2010, p. 3

4. Hogstrom, "TH First Citizen..."

5. "2016 Junior Achievement Hall of Fame" announcement, Telegraph Herald, May 8, 2016, p. 16

6. Hogstrom, "TH First Citizen..."

7. "Local Luncheon to Honor Philanthropists," Telegraph Herald, November 13, 2014, p. 3

8. "Top 100 Youth Leaders in the Dubuque Area Honored," Cascade Pioneer, September 16, 2015, p. 50

9. Hogstrom, "TH First Citizen..."

10. Ibid.