Beloved by all who knew her, Sayan “Ludee” (Rogers) Wolfe left this world peacefully on September 17, 2020, at the age of 80. Just as Sayan wished, she passed at her home, surrounded by loving family members.
What an amazing life Sayan lived, beginning in Mae Sariang, Thailand and ending in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Not much is known about Sayan’s early life, except her first daughter Doy was born in Thailand. Several years later, she met a young GI from western Kansas named Larry Rogers. Larry was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War and was smitten with the beautiful young woman working in a department store. Their whirlwind courtship was sealed, as they married in Sayan’s hometown, where their daughter Cher was born. Because of red tape, lack of visas and passports and other roadblocks, Larry had to return to Kansas after his tour of duty without wife and child. After many months of filings and proper paperwork, Sayan and Cher finally reunited with their new family in the United States in December of 1968. As for Doy, she stayed behind to help care for Sayan’s aging mother, with the hopes of joining mother & sister at a later time. Unfortunately, that never happened, which forever left a void in Sayan’s heart. She was sad to leave her first-born behind, and she returned to her homeland as much as she could throughout her years.
As Sayan would often say, she only knew two basic English words, “yes” and “no”, when she came to the US. However, the international language of a simple smile needed no interpretation, and she would end the story with a serious look that signified her sheer determination to make a successful life in America, no matter the linguistic barriers or cultural challenges.
Not long after Sayan’s arrival in Phillipsburg, her family grew by two sons, Pete followed by Warren “Sonny” ten months later (It seems that Thai people are capable of Irish twins!) Sayan and Larry soon settled in, raising their family along with great assistance from Larry’s parents (Warren & Ida), his sisters Diane (husband Charles Portenier), Ardith (husband Robert Horn) and Jacque (then-husband Dennis Babcock), and baby brother Mike (with late wife Marty). It was obviously a difficult time to be a foreigner of Asian descent in America after an unpopular war, but the Phillipsburg community warmed to Sayan’s broad smile, genuine soul and infectious giggle.
Sayan and Larry eventually divorced, and years later she met and married the most wonderful of men, Earl Wolfe. He brought such stability, loyalty and limitless love to her life through nearly 22 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling, camping, and especially hosting family and friends at their home during Rodeo and Christmas. Earl worked tirelessly to remodel their dream home. Sadly, Earl passed a little more than a year after Sayan’s passing, surely ready to join her to make more egg rolls and take more drives around the lake.
Sayan never knew a stranger. She greeted everyone with a big hug and a beaming smile, even if she just met you. Sayan loved to cook for family and friends and was well-known for her Thai food—mostly her delicious egg rolls. You were sure to get fed if you were at her house, regardless of if you were hungry or not! Most of all, Sayan treasured spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She showered those grandies with so much love, spoiled them with candy and treats and was often sure to give them a bath.
Sayan was preceded in death by her parents, only sister, first daughter Doy, stepdaughter Kayla Kreller and husband Jim Kreller, grandson Mai, great-grandson Titan, and other extended family members from Thailand. Sayan is survived in America by her children Cher Simpson (with husband Brad, sons Jacob and Ty and daughter Mayci), Pete (with ex-wife Kristy, stepsons Mark and Cody Harmon and daughter Alyssa and husband Kian Stegmaier) and Sonny (with ex-wife Aubrey and daughters Grace and Zoe); stepson Kurtis Wolfe (with sons Zack, Aaron and wife Lynsey, and Skylar); Kayla and Jim Kreller’s children Morgan and Jordan; and her great grandchildren and step great grandchildren. Sayan is survived in Thailand by her son-in-law Sompet, along with nieces and nephews & their children.
Sayan was so dearly and incredibly loved by her family and friends; she was a great teacher of acceptance, understanding, compassion and unconditional love. In that spirit, her family asks those who wish to send flowers to instead continue to spread that same acceptance, understanding, compassion and unconditional love throughout the world.
Please join us in a celebration of Sayan’s life at 10 AM on Friday, November 26, at Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.