Josh Ryan Wolver
October 13, 1976 - February 13, 2019
Obituary
MONONA-Josh Wolver, age 42, of Monona, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, from complications of Type 1 Diabetes.
Born in Des Moines, IA, the son of Steve and Linda (Reese) Wolver, he was a proud Hawkeye all his life, and worked hard to graduate from the University of Iowa in 3 ½ years. He enjoyed visiting the Iowa City campus, as recently as September 2018 to watch the Hawkeyes play the Badgers in football.
Life changed forever when he was blessed with his beautiful baby boy, Darian. Darian was the light and joy of his life, and he was so proud of his intelligent, funny, goofy, philosophical boy. The greatest tragedy of Josh’s death is the loss of time with Darian.
The other love of his life was his wife, Heather. They spent 12 ½ years together, partners through both good and bad. He referred to her as his rock and source of strength and stability. He especially loved her relationship as stepmother to Darian.
Josh loved cooking (especially chili), camping, fishing, napping, traveling, and occasionally retrieving one of his dogs from a nearby Walgreens. Throughout his professional life he excelled in the finance and hospitality industries. He was a natural leader who quickly earned the respect of his colleagues, and touched countless lives along the way. He enjoyed analyzing and breaking down situations to find a solution, while always maintaining a compassionate nature. He had a kind heart that sought to understand others and truly wanted to help people. His heart had a large capacity for both love and pain, and he had a soft spot for victims of abuse, both human and animal. He took great enjoyment and solace in his pets, especially his beloved dog Max.
Josh is survived by his two great loves, Darian and Heather; parents, Linda (Larry) Pierick and Steve (Mary) Wolver; a brother, Ben (Nikki) Westrope; sisters, Abbie (Brandon) Wood, Sarah (Matt) Ptasnik, Erin (Jason) Ogden, and Rachel (Matt) Bennett; parents-in-law, John and Diane Halvorson; brother-in-law, Adam Halvorson; former in-laws, the Walther family; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; best friend, Nate Zilley; special neighbors, Tom and Becky Lottes; his dog, Chuck; and his cat, Morris. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; several aunts and uncles; his dogs, Max, Luna, and Mac; and cat, Jelly.
While Type 1 Diabetes may have cut his life short, there were many battles before this one in which he survived against the odds and tenaciously fought his way back. He was loved and respected beyond measure, and will be deeply and painfully mourned. The world was a better place with Josh in it.
A Celebration of Josh’s life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2019. Memorials may be made in his honor to the Dane County Humane Society at https://www.giveshelter.org/how-to-help/donate. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
608-221-5420
Events
Celebration of Life
Sat Feb 23, 2019 @ 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Joshua have been shared yet.
Memories
K
KT
Other •
I didn't know Josh that well, but Josh was always very nice to me. He was one of my bosses and always came to work with a sunny disposition. He always tried to understand where someone was coming from and never once got angry when something wasn't done right. He went out of his way to be helpful.
He will be missed.
WA
Walther Edyie Ann
Other •
Josh was a very special guy to me. One of my most memorable moments was on a Saturday morning I heard a little knock on our door. I opened it and there stood little Darian and Josh. They asked if they could join me for breakfast. With tears in my eyes, I said that they had just made a lifetime dream of mine come true. I had imagined a day when I could make pancakes for a grandchild!!! Josh gave me my first grandchild and the best hugs.
BU
BRAD UHLENHAKE
Other •
My son, Pete, played many baseball games together with Josh back in Urbandale. At the Little League venue I remember Josh as a spirited, smiling, pleasant, young man. In their high school years the two of them did easily find mischief and enjoyed life. This continued into their college years. I was saddened to learn of his passing. My condolences to his family and extended family, particularly to Steve, a fellow claimsman and Mary, whom I worked with for years.
A
Abbie
Other •
Oh the memories I have of Josh. All of them bring a smile to my face. One particular Sunday afternoon Josh, Ben and I decided to play nerf guns in the basement.....with the lights OFF! Josh and Ben teamed up against me and put fishing line across the door, right above face level (I believe this was Josh’s idea). So when I came around the corner, I was clotheslined by the fishing line. I had a pretty good welt from ear to ear. There were a couple times during the summer Ben and Josh locked me outside of the house and I had to go to the neighbors and call my Mom from work to get them to let me in. my first love for Bone Thugs N Harmony came from Josh. Thuggish Ruggish Bone specifically. Josh and Ben would make it a point to make sure I never found out who sang that song. I eventually figured it out and went and bought their tape. One summer, Josh, Mom and me took a trip to North Carolina to visit Ben and Nikki. He went for a nightly swim in the ocean in his underwear. We woke up the next morning and he had said he lost his underwear while swimming. So many fun memories of that trip, including a slice of pizza being put on my moms face while she was asleep.... Lots of trips up to Madison to spend the weekend with Josh. Hanging on the deck, Josh cooking/grilling up this elaborate meal and enjoying some music on the deck as we talked and talked late into the night. Going slip n sliding when we were younger and Josh helping me down the slide and being there for me when I hurt my foot.
MZ
Mary Ann Zavitka
Other •
Such sadness - I remember Josh from our days at Allstate. We'd talk about our "kids" and Josh was such a good looking boy - now handsome man. With a heavy heart, I trust the Good Lord will be very close to all of you.
JM
Jenny Mathison
Other •
I'm so sad to hear of this-many good memories working with Josh and was so happy when he and Heather started dating-such a great couple. Thinking of you Heather; love to you, Darian, Diane, and all who loved him. You're all in my thoughts and prayers