Jeffrey Allan Wolfrum
July 5, 1950 – June 28, 2024
Jeffrey Allan Wolfrum, 73, of Naubinway, died Friday afternoon, June 28, 2024 at Golden Leaves Living Center in the presence of his loving wife, Mary Smolarz.
Born July 5, 1950 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of the late Albert and Dolores (Kubisiak) Wolfrum, Jeff attended Catholic grade school, graduating from West Allis Central High School. Jeff furthered his education attending the University of Wisconsin/Oshkosh and MATC.
Jeff raised his family in Wind Lake, Wisconsin and was employed at Continental Can Company, Delphi Electronics and MGA for several years until his retirement.
A resident of Naubinway since 2015, Jeff was an avid sports car fan, especially Indy, Formula 1 and motorcycle racing. He raced go-carts and loved riding motorcycles, dirt bikes and snowmobiles. He spent time as a corner worker for both Black Hawk Farms and Road America. His favorite job was being a test car driver for MGA.
In addition to his parents, Jeff is preceded in death by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Smolarz of Naubinway, whom he married September 28, 1989 at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway. Due to a clerical error, they were again united in marriage on November 19, 1989 at St. Stanislaus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also surviving are his children Allan Wolfrum of Cedar City, Utah, Emily Wolfrum of Grand Rapids and Daniel Wolfrum of Naubinway; step-daughter Angela (Ben MacDonald) Smolarz of Morgantown, West Virginia; granddaughter “Z”; siblings Larry (Barbara) Wolfrum of Chelmsford MA, Scott (Sandy) Wolfrum of Wheaton, IL and Thomas (Jean) Wolfrum of Wauwatosa, WI; brother-in-law Joseph (Paige) Smolarz of Colon MI; sister-in-law Ann Smolarz (Michael) Person of Sanford MI; 13 nieces and nephews and 11 grand nieces and nephews; many cousins, friends and neighbors new and old, especially the LaBonte’s, The Gang, Kurt (Kathy) Manke of Colorado, Tom (Karol) Hoerth of Milwaukee and Mark (Doreen Larson) Baumgarten of Milwaukee
A very special thanks to the wonderful and caring staff of Golden Leaves Living Center in Newberry MI. Everyone from the director of Nursing to Dietary went out of their way to make Jeff and I feel appreciated and like family during Jeff’s stay.
Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or Golden Leaves Living Center Newberry, Michigan in Jeff’s name would be appreciated.
A celebration of life will be held in Wisconsin with Rite of Committal to take place at the Naubinway Cemetery both at a later date.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry Michigan is assisting the family.
Lewis C. Nefstead
November 8, 1945 – June 22, 2024
Lewis Christopher Nefstead, 78, of North Manistique Lake, died Saturday evening June 22, 2024 at his residence in the presence of his loving wife, Kristina, and the care of North Woods Hospice.
Born November 8, 1945 in Newton, Iowa, son of the late Louis and Bonita (Tally) Nefstead, Chris was a 1969 graduate of University of Arizona receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Social Studies.
On August 7, 1969, Chris enlisted into the United States Army serving in Germany during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge on June 12, 1971, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant.
Following his honorable discharge, Chris continued his education and was a 1975 graduate of the University of Puget Sound receiving a Juris Doctorate and 1990 graduate of Northern Arizona University receiving his Administration Certification.
Chris worked as a criminal defense attorney in Tucson, AZ and Sedona, AZ and also as the Assistant District Attorney in Flagstaff, AZ.
In 1990, as a family Chris and Kris decided to become international educators in schools around the world: Bangkok, Ecuador, Pakistan, Cambodia, Colombia, Japan, and Honduras.
In 2000, Chris returned to the field of education stateside serving as high school principal at Forest Park Schools in Crystal Falls and, in 2001, Chris served as a high school social studies teacher at Tahquamenon Area Schools.
In 2002, Chris once again returned to international education serving as an administrator/teacher in Dakar, Senegal, administrator/director in Yangon, Myanmar, administrator/counselor/teacher in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, administrator/counselor in Abuja, Nigeria and as a social studies teacher in Anaco, Venezuela until his retirement in 2020, following 20 years of service.
Chris enjoyed reading, cooking (especially barbecuing), cross-country skiing, swimming, canoeing, sailing, fly fishing, traveling, playing golf and watching sports on TV. Chris was known for telling vivid stories about his international experiences, calling them “Tales from the Darkside.”
In addition to his parents, Louis and Bonita of Tucson, AZ, Chris is preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Bette and Lester Freeman and niece Sidney Danzig.
Survivors include his loving wife, the former Kristina Freeman of North Manistique Lake, whom he married August 30, 1980 in Sedona, Arizona; daughters Katla (Robert) Smithson of Sault Ste. Marie and Kasja (Ryan) Nelson of Escanaba; grandchildren Serenity and Kai Smithson both of Sault Ste. Marie and Dustin Nelson and Amber Langston both of Escanaba and great-grandson August Langston of Escanaba; sister Lori (Arnie) Danzig, nephew Dillan Harrington and niece Dasi (Kenneth) Styles and great-nephew Sailor of Buckeye, AZ; and niece Talya (Terry) Case and great-niece Liv of Scots Valley, CA; brother-in-law Tom (Wendy) Freeman and nephew Jacob of Calumet, MI.
Per request, cremation services were accorded with no public services scheduled.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
