Roberta Wolfe

Roberta Ann “Bert” Wolfe was born on January 26, 1944, in Ogden, Utah, to Elmer and Anneta “Babe” (Oordt) Den Hartog. The family’s story began in Iowa, where their roots ran deep. During World War II, the Den Hartogs temporarily relocated to Utah as Elmer contributed to the war effort by working on bombers at Hill Air Base.

After the war, the family returned to their beloved Iowa, reconnecting with their extended relatives and strengthening familial ties. It was in Iowa that Bert welcomed the arrival of her younger sister, completing their family of four. These formative years were steeped in the values of hard work, community, and love—principles that would guide Roberta throughout her life.

In 1953, the Den Hartog family embarked on a new chapter by settling in Hawarden, Iowa. There, Elmer began a career selling auto parts, eventually owning his own business. It was here that Bert finished her grade school and high school education. She loved school where she forged lifelong friendships. She participated in many academic clubs and concert and marching bands. During her senior year she was chosen to be part of the homecoming court.

She graduated from West Sioux High School in 1962 and went on to further her education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota. There she acquired more lifelong friends, belonged to more clubs as well as being involved in theater. She graduated in 1966 with a BA degree in English. While at the University, she had a chance to visit Washington, DC with a friend of hers. It was love at first sight and she knew exactly where she wanted to live once her studies were finished. After matriculating from USD, she headed to the University of Denver to begin to work on her Master’s degree. However, the pull of Washington was too great, so rather than finish she moved to McLean, VA where she had a friend in need of a roommate, and was introduced to her coworker, Tom Wolfe, whom she would go on to marry. She got a job with a California congressman, fulfilling her dream of working on The Hill. Eventually her roommate got married and she moved into a large home on Upton Street with several other girls. However, her friendship with Tom endured and she spent many evenings eating his specialty, eggs mixed with rice and whatever else he had in the refrigerator.

Eventually that friendship turned to love, and they were married on September 8, 1973, at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean. Bert worked various other jobs, volunteered, and also served on the Family Advisory Board of the CIA, but her true passion was bringing people together for all occasions, big and small.

On February 29, 1980, her only daughter, Katharine Danielle “Kate” Wolfe, was born. As Kate grew into a vibrant child, her mom decided to start a girl scout troop. The girls entered as brownies and left with the highest award in girl scouting – a gold star, with Bert as their troop leader. Bert was an excellent leader, putting her whole heart into making sure her girls had a great time.

With an empty nest, Roberta went back to entertaining, and continued to travel the world with Tom. At that time Kate was studying in London, so they made a few trips to see her and other friends they had in London, including her future husband, Arjun.

After Kate moved back to Virginia and began her career within the intelligence community, and Arjun eventually moved out before were married on June 7, 2014.

Eventually Roberta developed Alzheimer’s and, after living with it for 4 years, she finally succumbed to it on April 10, 2025.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Tom who passed away from leukemia in 2018 after 45 years of marriage, and her daughter, Kate, who passed away from liver disease in 2024.

She is survived her sister, Deanna Den Hartog and her son-in-law, Arjun Venu.