John Burton Wolfe Jr

John Burton Wolfe, Jr., a beloved husband, father, cousin, and friend, passed away on January 23, 2025. John slipped away peacefully while surrounded by his devoted wife, Betsy, and his loving sons, John III and Robert.

John touched many places in the world. He graduated from St. Thomas Academy in 1977, where he probably learned as much about bucking authority as he did following it. He continued on to Creighton University, majoring in sculpting, though he spent more time focused on a certain young woman from Milwaukee. Following in his father’s footsteps, John graduated from what was then Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1985. He then earned a law degree at William Mitchell College of Law in 1989.

John practiced law for several years, first with the established firm of Sieben, Grose & Von Holtum, and then as a solo practitioner. But none was surprised to see John return to teaching at his true love, Northwestern Health Sciences University. Founded by his father, John Burton Wolfe, Sr., in 1941, John spent nearly half his life studying or teaching chiropractic at Northwestern. John showed his immense pride in his father’s legacy through his devotion to the school and its people. He was beloved by students for his grace and by colleagues for his wit.

To know John was to know his many talents. He was a true renaissance man—he could play music, cook, garden, sculpt, paint, design, build, and more. Always a voracious reader, John became a gifted researcher, writer, and editor, skills he applied to the study of chiropractic history. As many saw, he could display most of these talents in a single day at the family cabin.

Despite his many interests, none could rival music. There is no doubt that John would spend his last hour practicing for a show or cavorting with his beloved hippies (a label that unquestionably applies to John as well). His greatest memories were his concerts, his greatest friends were his bandmates, and his greatest possessions were his instruments. Music took him beyond himself.

If music elevated him, his family grounded him. John passed on much of his knowledge and many of his skills to his sons, John III and Robert, each of whom has followed him in his own way. But no one could deny the immeasurable impact of his loving wife, Betsy. A devoted partner for over 40 years, his sun rose and set with his wife. She printed his sheet music and raised his boys. She ran to the store a thousand times for a thousand things for a thousand projects. She kept him cool, physically and mentally. And she will forge on in his absence, cherishing the life they built together.

A service is scheduled at Roseville Memorial Chapel & Cremation Services on February 8th, 2025 (O’Halloran & Murphy Roseville location, 2245 North Hamline Avenue, Roseville, MN 55113). Visitation begins 10am and the service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Northwestern Health Sciences University (2501 W 84th St, Bloomington, MN 55431).