John Harold Wulfkuhle
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John Harold Wulfkuhle, 88, a Lawrence, KS resident for over 70 years, passed away on September 3, 2023 at the University of Kansas Medical Center after a brief illness.
John was born on February 18, 1935 to Harold and Lela “Helene” (Walrafen) Wulfkuhle in Topeka, KS. After John graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence in 1954, he went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Kansas in 1958. He joined the Naval ROTC and then served in the United States Navy and the Naval Reserves as a Supply Corps Lieutenant until 1968. John received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1966 and proudly practiced family dentistry in Lawrence for over 40 years.
John met his beloved wife, Frances Ann Wickey (Fran) in January, 1965, on a blind date at the ‘The Bigger Jigger’ in Kansas City. John was finishing dental school and Fran was working as a surgical nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital at that time. They married on November 27, 1965 and were virtually inseparable for the ensuing 58 years. John’s devotion to Fran was obvious to anyone and everyone who met them. They raised four extraordinary (his word…not ours) children while living west of Lawrence in a farmhouse built in 1861 that John ambitiously remodeled with the help of friends and family. In 1991, John and Fran moved south of Lawrence to a house that John collaboratively designed and built. Maintaining their home and property was a satisfying labor of love for him.
John was a quintessential family man and ‘togetherness’ brought him his greatest joy. John delighted in family trips and he treasured spending time with his extended family from Topeka, Tonganoxie and Texas. He was happiest spending time with his family at the pond: fishing, canoeing, camping and eating s’mores around the bonfire. He introduced the ‘Wulfkuhle Family Member of the Year’ award in 2003, announcing the victor annually at Christmas dinner with his signature emotional and heartfelt delivery. John took great pride in his family’s accomplishments and he was immeasurably thoughtful to one and all. John’s entire family were truly blessed to have such an attentive, dedicated, and unselfish supporter.
John had a competitive streak and he was a passionate lifelong Kansas Jayhawks fan. His patented free-throw ‘hex’ and other spirited exclamations were known to many and were likely heard throughout all of Douglas County on any given game day. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
John’s family was a ‘founding family’ of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. He served on the board for the Lawrence Catholic School Endowment, as well as the Douglas County Public Health Committee as Chairman and Treasurer, and the Rural Water Board. He was a member of the Douglas County Dental Society, served on the Douglas County Planning Commission and was a member of the Breakfast Cosmos.
John was predeceased by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Esther and Jim Hufford and his son-in-law, John Cooper, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Fran; his sister, Janice Lamb (Fort Worth, TX); his children, Julia Wulfkuhle (Columbia, MD), Mary Gladstone (Jason, Prairie Village, KS), Michael Wulfkuhle (Jayne Yelich, Denver, CO), Erica Ross (John, Irvine, CA); his grandchildren, Charlie Ross, Henry Ross, Emmie Gladstone and Ruby Ross; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 11:00am. A rosary will precede the funeral mass at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. John Catholic School and/or Corpus Christi Catholic School.
Condolences to the family of a very nice man.
Uncle John was a good man. He loved well and was portrayed perfectly in this obituary. Since mother’s illness he has been my silent strength. No words can described the enormous loss our family has experienced. Today and for all the days ahead we will strive to live up to his example. My love to you, Aunt Fran. He loved you so very much. Julie, Mary, Michael, and Erica… you know how proud he was of you. My hope is the love he had for each if you sustains you for the rest of your days. Charlie, Henry, Emmie, and Ruby… the heartbreak of loosing a grandparent is like no other. Hold tight and find comfort in each and every memory. I promise, he will live in your hearts forever.
All my love!
Vicki
The Pais send their thoughts and condolences to the entire family. What a wonderful remembrance of him.
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. What a beautiful tribute. I did not know him well but have enjoyed the pleasure of his son Mike’s friendship for half of my life. A wonderful family indeed, solid as a fine piece of mahogany. The next time I’m Lawrence I’ll be sure to stop by The Bigger Jigger and have a cold one in John’s (and Fran’s) honor. Hopefully they haven’t turned it into a Piggly Wiggly or some such thing.
Deepest condolences to your family from ours. May he rest in peace.
This is beautifully written and perfectly captures this amazing man! I consider myself fortunate to have met him and his family. His passion and love for his beautiful family were one of the most unique and endearing experiences I have witnessed in my life. It is heartbreaking to hear of his passing and we offer our condolences to Fran, his children, grandchildren, and extended family – requiescat in pace.
Fran,
We are so addend to hear about John. You two were such amazing role models for Sully and I. We always had fun at the Easter Vigil working with you two. Please know you are in our hearts and prayers.
Love!
Cristy, Sully & Kennedy
I cannot think of John without thinking of his beautiful smile and the twinkle in his eyes. As I child, I delighted in having him mis-count my teeth after a cleaning, taking my turn to drive the tractor during a hayrack ride, and sitting in the middle of the Marriage Encounter circle listening to everyone sing. John’s eyes always shone with love and pride when he talked of his kids and grandkids. His smile ALWAYS reached his eyes when I would see him.
My love to the whole family. I hope you feel John’s quiet, peaceful demeanor with you always.
Fran and children, the entire Trotter family send our thoughts and prayers to you during this difficult time. John was a good man who gave generously to his family, patients, and community. He will be missed by many. I was devastated when John decided to retire from dentistry. I could not imagine going to anyone else. He helped me overcome my fear of the dentist. He was always so good at explaining what he was about to do while my mouth was proped open and I could not speak. May he rest in peace.
Fran and family: Heartfelt condolences. He was good man, trusted and admired.
What a beautiful tribute! I met John on move in day freshman year at Creighton the day I met my dear college roommate, Erica. From the moment I met him and Fran, I had an immediate sense of welcome, of warmth and the love of a tight knit family. Spending so many weekends road tripping with Erica and John to Lawrence were some of my favorite memories. The hospitality that I received has been a model for how we are now raising our own family. I know how difficult it is to lose one so beloved. Sending much love to all of you.
Dear Wulfkuhle Family,
I was so sorry to learn of John’s passing. Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. John and I were dental colleagues for 40 years or so, and I enjoyed his counsel and humor in our conversations. John will be missed by the Lawrence community, especially his former patients, and his dental colleagues.
Respectfully,
Dr. Bud Jacobs
Dear Fran.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of John. Sending thoughts and prayers of strength, comfort and peace to you and your family. GOD BLESS!
There is no family nicer then John and Fran’s. Great parents, great dentist, absolutely great people. Truly caring to everyone. How proud their children must be. The Lawrence community has lost a great person.
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Prayers for God’s grace and peace for his family thru this time. I was fortunate to have John for my dentist years ago. I also enjoyed visiting with him at family reunions.
Greg G.
Dear Frannie,
You were my best friend when we attended Tonganoxie HS. Our years & lives have separated us …each going out on our own. But I have never forgotten our friendship. It was wonderful to visit Carol, Linda & Cleta…but we missed seeing you. Know that our hearts & love are with you.
Love, Frankie
210 945 8997
My thoughts and prayers are with Johns family and friends. This is sad to hear of his passing.
John was my dentist and a friend for many decades. He put a smile on my face every time I saw him when he fixed my teeth or stopped in at Heritage Tractor or Deems in the old days to get his mower serviced. John took pride in his equipment as well as his dental work and I still have fillings from 40+ years ago. We always spent time chatting when he brought his F725 in for service and I will never forget those times and conversations.
Friend , you will be missed and I will see you on the other side with God. RIP My friend !
Fran,
I sure am sorry to hear about John. His obit is fabulous and describes your relationship perfectly. Our prayers are for you and your family. I am blessed to have known John.
Fran,
We were so sad to hear of John’s passing. It was such a delight to see you the last time you were at Corpus. I am sorry that John and I will be out of town Monday and unable to attend the funeral. Please know that you and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest well, Doc. I’m honored to have known you.
Mary and Jason and the entire wulfkuhle family.
I am so very sorry for your loss. John was a true gentleman in every way. Always kind and interested in how I was doing. A lovely man. I pray that as time passes you all will find the peace that you will need to carry on. Losing a parent or spouse is heartbreaking. Please know my thoughts are with all of you.
Carolyn Rowe
Fran: you and John were blessed to have found each other in this life. And reading these tributes, knowing you even just a little from long ago, I can only imagine the wonderful life you made together for yourselves, your family, grandchildren, friends and community. Words speak loudly with the tributes for a life very well lived. My sincerest condolences to you and yours during this painful time of transition.
Sorry we couldn’t be there Monday. He will be missed by all of us. Duane was so happy we got to see him and his other cousin at the Wulfkuhle Reunion last April.
Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. John personally, I felt acquainted with him through his son, Michael, and daughter, Mary. Having worked alongside Michael for 15 years, I often enjoyed hearing stories about his family and childhood in Kansas. It’s evident that John raised a kind, intelligent, and polite gentleman in Michael, reflecting his own character. My thoughts are with his friends and family during this time. May the memories of John continue to live on in your hearts and minds.