Alyson "Aly" Wolff

Although life will never be the same without Alyson Wolff here, her numerous friends and family members find comfort in knowing that death has no sting for those who believe and look forward to a glorious reunion one day in their eternal home. She was given far too few days in which to compose her life’s song, yet there was no one who met Aly and left unchanged. She was passionate about her unwavering faith, even in the face of life’s greatest challenges, and her love for her family and friends was unmatched. The memories Aly leaves behind will continue to inspire those who were blessed to feel her touch.

The 1990s were truly the electronic age. The World Wide Web was born in 1992, which changed the way we communicate, shop, and do business. By the time the decade drew to a close more than half of all American households owned a computer. We were entertained by Mariah Carey, Hootie & the Blowfish, and shows like NYPD Blue and Will and Grace. Amidst this time of discovery there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple, Russell, and Sheila (Seffrood) Wolff, as they announced the birth of their baby girl on December 11th, in Madison, Wisconsin. Alyson Irene was one of four children in her family, raised alongside her brother, Joshua, and her sisters, Tanya and Shelly.

Aly was a bright light in the lives of her family right from the start. She was happy being with her family no matter what they were doing. One of Aly’s favorite places to be was at the cottage at Lake Eau Claire near Augusta, Wisconsin, especially for the Fourth of July with extended family and cousins every year. She enjoyed snowmobiling with the ones she loved especially her Grandpa Ed and Uncle Tim.

In addition to her family, Aly loved being with her friends. She loved hanging out together either at the shed, watching movies, or just eating pizza. In their eyes, she was the "glue" that kept them all together.

Aly was a typical young girl of her generation who loved things like country music, going to concerts, and all things Justin Bieber. In fact, her friends launched a campaign called “BiebsMeetAly” that gained large amounts of attention to meet the star - and her dreams came true when she attended one of his concerts and met him just this past year. Through this campaign that saturated social media networks Aly inspired and touched thousands of lives. She was also an avid Wisconsin sports fan who also enjoyed hockey and following the Chicago Black Hawks.

With plans for a bright future, Aly was a student at local schools. She graduated from McFarland High School in 2011 and went on to UW-Oshkosh with plans to major in accounting. Aly’s dream was to become an accountant, following in her father’s footsteps.

Life became more difficult for Aly and her loved ones when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when she was just 19. She inspired all who were within her reach with her unending courage, resilient strength, and positive outlook that never waned. Aly loved being with her friends and continuing to do the things she enjoyed as doing so provided an escape from her struggles with cancer. She just wanted to be a typical young woman and didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her or treat her differently. Aly was eternally grateful to her Uncle Tim who offered to give her a healthy liver, but sadly, complications did not allow this life-giving gift to become a reality. Aly never lost hope in finding a cure for her disease, and raising awareness about her rare form of cancer to bring hope and healing to others was always in the forefront of her mind.

Taken from her loved ones much too soon, Alyson Wolff was a gift given to those too numerous to count. She was wise beyond her years, always available with a listening ear to offer her friends, and a keen interest in the world around her through politics. Aly never wavered in her convictions and dedication to making the world a better place, and her love for others was unmatched. She was content in whatever life brought, trusting that every step was part of God’s perfect plan for her life. It has been said that Aly didn’t lose the fight against cancer - she ignited the war. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of all who loved her. She will be deeply missed while her memory is forever cherished.

Alyson Irene “Aly” Wolff, of McFarland, died on Monday, April 22, 2013, at home surrounded by her loving family. Aly’s family includes her parents, Russell and Sheila; brother, Joshua; sister, Tanya (Ben) Brake; sister, Shelly; nieces and nephews, Arion, Tristan, and Peyton; maternal grandmother, Edith Seffrood; paternal grandmother, Sonja Wolff; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Aly was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Ralph Seffrood; paternal grandfather, Edward R. Wolff Sr.; and uncles, Jerry Seffrood and Rick Wolff. Funeral services will be held at MCFARLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5529 Marsh Road, McFarland, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2013, with Pastor Timothy Dean presiding. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren, IL, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2013. Visitation will be held at the church from 3:30-8 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2013. Memorials may be made to Aly’s Honky Tonk Hustle for a Cure. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guestbook.