Elliott Wolfson
Elliott Marshall Wolfson, 87, of Waukon passed away Monday, December 14, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon from COVID-19. A private graveside Jewish service was held Tuesday, December 15 in Chicago, IL. There will be a public celebration of life at a later date. Cards and condolences may be sent to Dean and Mary Jackson at 1213 Park Road, Waukon, IA 52172.
Elliott Marshall Wolfson was born September 17, 1933, the son of Benjamin and Rae Wilson Wolfson in Chicago, IL. He attended school in Chicago and graduated from high school with the distinction of the only student with perfect attendance and no tardiness for all four years. He also graduated from Herzel Business College in Chicago.
Elliott joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge, he lived in Europe for nine years, in Germany, France, England, Spain and Switzerland, selling insurance with his friend, Stuart.
Elliott returned to Chicago and started his own interior decorating business. He met the love of his life, Juliann Jackson, through mutual friends and they married April 15, 1972 in Chicago. They spent many years together doing their antique and depression glass business at antique shows and flea markets all over the country, even after moving to the Decorah/Waukon area. When Juli, a.k.a. “JJ”, became too ill to travel, Elliott became her caregiver and was very attentive to her needs.
Elliott had many careers in his lifetime including insurance agent, interior decorator, antique dealer, casino employee, massage therapist and caregiver. He was an avid garage sale and flea market patron, always bartering for a great deal. He loved sharing his acquired treasures with family, and he had a very broad definition of family.
Elliott loved being with people and made friends wherever he went. He shared his home with people in need and invited friends to his table on a regular, often daily, basis. He enjoyed cooking, and never minded doing dishes. Elliott treasured the time he spent with his Jewish family in Postville each week. He had a special place in his heart for children and always kept toys on hand to share.
Elliott loved to dance and is well known around the area for his excellent skills on the dance floor. He enjoyed attending The Toe Tappers’ events. Elliott was proud to serve his country in the Army and was a member of the local American Legion Veterans Club.
Elliott will be missed for his ability to make people smile wherever he went, his sugar womps and huggies.
Elliott is survived by his son, Charles (Jeni) Jenkins, and his grandsons, Cade and Nash Jenkins, all of Marion; his sister-in-law, Gloria Wolfson, and a nephew, Aaron Wolfson, of Chicago, IL, and a niece, Tamara, of California; his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Joyce Anderson of Dallas, TX, Lyle (Phyllis) Jackson of West Union, David (Darla) Anderson of Pella and Dean (Mary) Jackson of Waukon; many nieces, nephews and special friends; and his special Jewish family in Postville.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Juliann, in 2000; and his siblings, Doris, Lawrence and Sam.
