Josh Ryan Wolver

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.