Karl Anthony Wolz

Toledo, OH - Karl Anthony Wolz, 63, of Toledo, Ohio passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Karl was born on August 13, 1958 in South Bend, Indiana. He leaves behind his wife of thirty years, Susan (Kievit) Wolz and their son, Jon Wolz. He is survived by his mother, Charlotte (Kronewitter) Wolz of South Bend, IN and five sisters: Ann Miller of South Bend, IN; Karen (Craig) Moran of Statesville, NC; Diane (Terry) Clarke of Orlando, FL; Monica (Ron) Hecklinski of South Bend, IN; and Susan (Mark) Catanzarite of South Bend, IN; sister-in-law, Yvonne Wolz of Coconut Creek, FL. He had eighteen nieces and nephews, five great-nieces and great-nephews, and many, many friends. Karl was preceded in death by his father, Sigmund Wolz, older brother Brian and younger brother, Jon.

During his teen years, he joined the We Together Singers based out of Holy Cross Catholic Church. It was in this group that Karl would develop special friendships that lasted for the rest of his life. Karl was a 1976 graduate of LaSalle High School in South Bend and a 1986 graduate from the University of Central Florida in Orlando with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.

Karl was a natural athlete and while in high school played football and wrestled. He later transitioned into cycling, ice hockey and tai chi for wellness and enjoyment.

Karl worked in management in the Commercial Construction Industry for over forty years with major companies like T.A. Loving, Brown & Root and Turner Construction. He sometimes spoke of his early days when he began as a laborer for Casteel Construction Company in South Bend, IN where he received some of the best advice of his life; join the union and get a college degree. Karl was a natural leader who could motivate others to follow him to achieve any goal. An exceptionally hard worker, he took great pride in his work. He never expected more of those working for him than he was willing to invest himself. He traveled the country to live and work where the companies sent him and he always brought his family with him. Karl was involved on major construction projects in Florida, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina and Ohio. His recent move to Toledo, in 2014 coincided with his joining Lathrop for Promedica's new Health and Wellness Center in Sylvania and Promedica's Toledo Hospital Generations of Care Tower and then Imagination Station's Key Bank Discovery Theater. Karl was a member of the Toledo Walk to End Alzheimer's Leadership Committee and Chairman of the Team Retention Committee since 2018.

Through his role, he actively recruited teams primarily in the trades industries along with recruiting Lathrop Company volunteers to help at the events. He also was a member of the Top Fundraising Champions Club though his personal fundraising efforts.

An exceptional husband, father, son, brother and friend, Karl was one of a kind. His smile lit up a room. There was nothing that Karl would not do for his family, and he loved his wife, son and extended family dearly. No matter the occasion; wedding, graduation, reunion, funeral or simply a friend in trouble, Karl was there. He was as good a friend as there ever was, you always knew Karl "had your back". He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Oak Openings Lodge - Metro Parks in Whitehouse, OH on Sunday, November 21, 2021 beginning at noon.

Posted online on October 09, 2021

10/15/2021 EJS