Andrew Thomas Wulff

A.T. "Tom" Wulff, born 3/12/1918 in Bellfield, ND, passed away Oct. 30, 2010 at Potter Ridge in Red Wing, MN. Visitation will be Friday, Nov 5, from noon to 1 PM at First Covenant Church in Red Wing with a memorial service to follow at 1 PM.

Tom was born to Andrew J. and Anna L. (Amundson) Wulff and joined 8 siblings, Jacob, Clayton, Isabelle (Kaste Koepp), Marion (Sather), Lillian (Grady), Myrtle (Overson), Oliver, and Anna (Hart) who have preceded him in death. Tom's mothers' death when he was 2 1/2 led to Wulff's to move to Mondovi, WI to be near family. Tom did many odd jobs growing up to help the family during the depression. Loving the Mississippi, he felt fortune as a very young man, to work on the William S. Thompson Dredgeboat and making its Maiden Voyage from Ohio up the Mississippi to Fountain City, where it operated until recent years. Tom worked with his father building houses in Fort Dodge, IA and married his wife, Fern L. Hill in Badger, IA where he built the family their first home. After managing a hemp plant in Iowa that supplied rope for the war efforts and also recovering from a "rheumatic" illness, he joined the Marines and was honorably discharged in 1950. He moved his family to "Mockingbird Hill" in Flower Valley of Red Wing where they lived until April of this year. Tom enjoyed many years of supervising construction of churches, schools hospitals and manufacturing plants. One of his most interesting projects was managing the renovation of the St. James Hotel where Fern was his office assistant and payroll clerk. After his "retirement" of that project, he enjoyed working with Jean Chesley and Elizabeth Hedin on the Goodhue County Historical Museum project in Red Wing.

Although Tom grew up in the church, he realized his need of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1952. It did not make him perfect, but it did make him "forgiven". Experiencing a deeper understanding of his faith, he had a passion to help small congregations in MN to meet their needs in a more affordable way, often volunteering many hours of time and talent. Tom also served many years on the Lutheran Free Association Seminary Board while they were developing their school.

Preceding him in death are his parents, eight siblings, two grandchildren, Andrew Thomas Wulff II and one stillborn girl and one great grandson, Taden Andrew Thomas Taylor. Survivors include his wife Fern, children, Martha (Garry) Blomberg, Oshkosh, WI; Betty (Larry) Alden, Sheridan, WY: Alan (Nancy) Wulff, Red Wing: LaVonne (Peter) Komlos, Appleton, WI; Thomas (Kathy) Wulff, Middleton, WI; and Grant (Mary) Wulff, Red Wing. Also surviving Tom are 16 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Tom deeply appreciated his family and always enjoyed being around them. They were very blessed to have him in their lives.

The family extends deep gratitude to the Fairview Red Wing Hospice & Home Care Staff, the compassionate, faithful staff at Potter Ridge Assisted Living, Faith in Action, and First Covenant Church. Each of these organizations has impacted the uniqueness and quality of Tom and Fern's lives.