Kenneth Lee Wolfer

Kenneth Lee Wolfer, 89-years old, surrounded by his family, peacefully went to be with the Lord on February 27, 2026. Ken was born to George Dewey and Florence May Wolfer (Mishler) at his grandmother's house in Sheridan, Oregon, on September 29, 1936. Ken was the youngest of eight siblings.

Ken graduated from Western Mennonite High School, Salem, Oregon in 1954 and graduated from Los Angeles College of Mortuary Science in 1959. He purchased the Stearns Mortuary, Oakland, Oregon in 1960, built the Chapel of the Firs, Sutherlin, Oregon in 1962, and operated it until the end of 1977. Ken was a council member with the City of Sutherlin from 1969 to 1974 and was a member of the Sutherlin Jaycee's. He especially enjoyed hunting deer, elk, and birds along with his weekly poker games, and rock collecting. He moved to Vale, Oregon, and operated a dairy farm from 1978 to 1992. After the death of his first wife, he moved back to Sutherlin in 1993. Ken married Shirley Jean Modglin on July 2, 1994. Ken and Shirley worked together as a team in the operation of the Sutherlin Liquor Store and Smoke Shop until they retired in 2007. Ken enjoyed his time taking part in the Sutherlin Blackberry Festival with his wife Shirley, along with fishing and RV camping along the Oregon Coast. Later in life, Ken enjoyed keeping busy around the house with beekeeping and gardening.

Ken is survived by his wife Shirley, and his children: son Randy Wolfer and his wife Anne, daughter Cindy Wolfer, Lori Casteel, Steve Casteel and his wife Laurie, D'Anna Caylor and her husband Chuck. Grandchildren: James Wolfer, Sarah Wolfer, Megan Wolfer, Ben Reed, Sam Reed, Danielle Downing, Anthony Choi, Jameson Choi, Justyn Onate, Jake Onate, Brad Casteel, Kyle Casteel, Vanessa Bright, and Tyler Coe. Ken is also survived by 27 great-grandchildren.

Wilson's Chapel of the Roses, 965 W. Harvard Avenue, Roseburg, Oregon 97471 oversees the arrangements. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Noon 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Please join us at graveside services at Valley View Cemetery, 683 Valley View Road, Sutherlin, Oregon, on March 19, at 10:00 a.m. A celebration luncheon will immediately follow to share stories and memories of Ken at the Sutherlin Community Building, at 150 S. Willamette at Central Park, Sutherlin, Oregon.