Fae B. Rolfe of Bozeman passed away June 8, 2012, in Helena, Montana, following complications from a fractured pelvis.
Fae was born November 17, 1913 in Sweet Idaho to Alpheus Wing Boynton and Mercy Emeline (Skippen) Boynton. Her family, including two brothers and two sisters, moved to Damascus, Oregon, south of Gresham, when she was young. She graduated from Gresham High School in 1931. She married William A Rolfe, Jr. who was also from Damascus on January 28, 1933.
Fae worked as the administrative assistant to the president of a lumber company while Bill started his career in the automobile business in Portland and while he served in the Marine Corps during World War II
In 1947, she and Bill moved to Bozeman, where they partnered with others to open Rolfe and Mest, Dodge Plymouth. It later became Rolfe and Wood, “Where it’s Gottabee Good,” a full line Chrysler Dodge Plymouth dealership and a registered Hereford cattle ranch. Fae was actively involved in all of Bill’s business ventures and frequently worked with him. She was always at his side, encouraging him and letting him have the credit for their success. In fact, in later years, when Bill developed Alzheimer’s, most people didn’t realize how advanced his disease was because of the clever way she brought people’s names into the beginning of a conversation.
Fae was a charter member of the Montana Hereford Auxiliary and rose to be the national president of the organization. She was a member of Mad Gals, livestock women from Madison and Gallatin Counties. Fae enjoyed playing bridge and played a little poker and bingo with her friends at Aspen Pointe.
Fae turned out to be the perfect wife for the impetuous, fun loving, dare devil Bill. She encouraged and supported him as he grew into a successful entrepreneur. In fact the story of her life was one of encouragement and support of others, many times being the “wind beneath their wings.” She had a positive, up beat, can do attitude that inspired her family and friends. Fae was a classy lady who always dressed up, even if she was just going to lunch.
Fae encouraged her sons Dick and Tom in everything they did in life. She nurtured and supported her five grand children in school and later in their chosen line of work. The family thinks of her as one of the most positive people they know.
She was always there to support members of her family and a multitude of friends when life threw them a curve. Fae took care of her mother-in-law, mother, sister-in-law, and husband right up until the time they literally died in her arms. She was there for several special nieces who seemed to be drawn to her when they needed love and support and help from “Auntie Fae.”
Fae was preceded in death by her parents, in laws, husband of 66 years, Bill, and her youngest son, Dick. She leaves behind, her son, Tom and his wife, Judy of Helena, and her daughter in law, Fay Ann Rolfe of Cardwell. Her five grandchildren are Truxton and his wife Shelby of Missoula; Holly of Oceanside, California; Beth of Helena; Myriah Marsh of Bozeman; and Dr. Kelsey Rolfe of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. She leaves three great grand children, Colin, Shannyn and Jorgen; and several nieces and nephews. Fay Ann’s son, Ryan Clark of Fishtail and his wife Lindsey and their daughter, Lainey Ann were very special in Fae’s life.
Underlying all of who Fae was, is a quiet but strong Christian faith that endures from her youth. Knowing that Fae leaves a forwarding address of heaven is comforting to her family and friends who choose to meet her there someday.
A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12th at Aspen Point at Hillcrest, 1201 Highland Boulevard Bozeman, MT 59715 with a reception to immediately follow at Aspen Point at Hillcrest. . Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences.
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Abbey (Schuetze) Riehs says
Auntie Fae was one of those dear people in my life who always brought a smile to my face. So loving. It’s hard to think she’s gone. She took the place of Grandma in my heart when my own Grandma Boynton (her sister-in-law) passed.
When I think of her confident yet playful attitude, I think how perfect she was to be the big sister to my grandpa. She still called him her baby brother.
I won’t forget getting to spend some special times with Auntie Fae. Riding in Uncle Bill’s convertible, going to brunch, and staying the night during a quick road trip to Bozeman in college…
It’s hard to say goodbye. Somehow I thought she’d always be here. In a way she is. And I’ll see her again one day. Praise God for that!
Angie DeWispelaere says
Dear Family and Friends of Fae,
I had the honor of meeting and working with Fae as a physical therapist at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital. What an elegant, delightful woman! I so enjoyed our time together and she always brought a bright spot to my day. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Angie DeWispelaere
Bev Wahl says
Fae was a very special person and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet her. She always had a smile that shined when she walked into the office and always look so elegant. She will be deeply missed. My deepest sympathy to the family and may you find peace in the love and memories that you share.
Donna says
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother Tom. Our condolences to you and all of your family. I would like to share this with you:
Your mother is always with you…
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not well.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She’s crystallized in every tear drop…
She’s the place you came from, your first home..
She’s the map you follow with every step that you take.
She’s your first love and your first heartbreak….
and nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, Not space… Not even death…. will ever separate you from your mother….
You carry her inside of you….
Donna and John Hengstler
Gail Shaffner Kuntz says
The world lost a lovely, gracious lady – I feel so blessed to have known her. Now she’s only a prayer away – forever taking care and encouraging those she loved.
Gilda & Dan Clancy says
Dear Tom, Judy and family,
Keeping you in prayer as you remember and honor your dear mother and loved one, Faye.
Sincerely,
The Clancys
Jeanne Roby says
Tom and Judy, I will miss Fae greatly. She was a wonderful lady and a good friend. We often reminisced about the many good times we had at the ranch with Harold and Bill — especially in the swimming pool! I also very much appreciated her sharing the Wall Street Journal with me. I am in Moscow, Idaho right now with my daughter Kris and her husband Rodney and we are very sorry we couldn’t attend Fae’s memorial service today but our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family.
julie ferro says
You were always my “Mrs. Rolfe” until relatively recently when age became just a formality. I don’t know exactly when I first called you “Fae” but it seems fitting and comfortable and safe. “Fae,” Fae my hero, my rock, my sounding block, my thermostat, my depth finder. You are my nuts and bolts gal. And I am missing you today so very much.
So I can’t imagine the hole you will leave in my mother’s world here. The two of you have been buddies for as long as I can remember, since 1954 when we moved to our new house on Garfield and you lived on Willson. You were Tom’s mom. But you were always more than Tom’s mom to me. And of course you were always more than Tom’s mom to my mom. You played bridge and shared the car pool, exchanged carrots and corn for zucchini and string beans from our exploding gardens. You always smelled so darn nice. And lately it is you who, with your constant and robust encouragement, got Mom to move to Aspen Pointe and then to Birchwood, who coaxed Mom out every day to hop on the scooter and take the long, confusing ride to lunch, who coaxed her unfailingly toward Bingo and breakfast and a glimmer of independence. You would say, “Now Kate, since you’re here, we can get mad together at growing old, we can swear up a storm together! That will help. That will make us feel a little better.” And then you would laugh. And that would make my mom laugh. And I think that made my mom feel better, and I think it all made a big difference. You worked very diligently at making a difference.
You have been the truest friend and companion and confidante, and our world has felt a lot more balanced with you in it. There you would take your seat in the dining hall, always a little ahead of everyone else, calm and waiting, waiting like the best friend in anticipation of a meal finer than the last, as if it were a special occasion. And you know what? It was a special occasion. Every time.
Farewell and Godspeed to you, Fae Rolfe, special friend and confidante. I will miss you. We will all miss you. But we are coming. Wait for us.
Linda Vaughey says
We are never fully prepared for all of life’s passages. Prayers for you Tom and Judy and the rest of your family as you bid your mother good bye and God speed.
Ron Iverson says
Dear Tom and Judy, I am sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. Although we spent a lot of the same years in the Gallatin Valley, I did not know her, but I understand she was a wonderful lady. My sympathies. Ron
Sharon Christensen says
Dear Tom & Judy I have just now read Fae’s obituary and offer my condolences. What a gracious lady Fae was. I was a young bride as a charter member of the Montana Herford Auxillary and Fae along with Pearl Jarboe were great mentors.
Vall and Bob Raisch says
Tom and Judy and family,
Our heartfelt love and sympathy to you all on the passing of your darling mom, Tom. Reading the obituary and the guest book, I wish I would have had the honor of meeting her as she sounded like a marvelous person!
Treasure your memories and may they and the promise of eternal life because of Jesus buoy you all up till we someday meet those we love again.
Missing you,
Val and Bob Raisch
Ocala, FL.