Ruth Alice “Crickett” Wolfe, 85, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, surrounded by her family and her beloved cat, Jasper, who remained by her side until her final moments. Born on April 11, 1940, in Johnston City, Illinois, she was the daughter of Grant and Jeannette Mitchell.
Crickett grew up in Southern Illinois, where her parents ran both a roofing business and an appliance store. As the oldest child, she became her mother’s right hand, helping raise her younger siblings, keeping the household running smoothly, keeping her spirited brothers in line and doting on her baby sister. Even as a girl, she had no patience for clutter or chaos, a trait she carried throughout her life.
She found joy early in the Girl Scouts, where she loved camping trips, playing her ukulele for sing‑alongs, and cooking foil‑packet meals over a campfire. Her bright personality and infectious laughter earned her the nickname “Crickett,” given to her by fellow scouts.
Her love of movement and music led her to tap dancing and eventually to Butler University, where she studied dance. She had a natural stage presence, always full of rhythm, sparkle, and personality, but life soon opened the door to an even bigger adventure.
Crickett became a TWA flight attendant, a role that suited her perfectly. She loved meeting new people, hearing their stories, and bringing warmth to every flight. Her favorite route was Chicago to San Francisco, and she could recount every detail of those trips. It was during this chapter that she met her first husband, Ernest. They met on a flight, had their first date at a jazz club in Kansas City, and from that moment on, their story began.
Together, Crickett and Ernest built a life rooted in partnership, adventure, and hard work. More than 60 years ago, they founded Lehmann Realty Company at the Lake of the Ozarks, where she became a trusted real estate broker and a beloved member of the Climax Springs community. She was not only a business entrepreneur but a neighbor, a supporter of the local school, and a friend to anyone who needed one.
She and Ernest raised two children, John and April. She was an extraordinary mother, always teaching her children to follow their dreams, to love animals and nature, to appreciate farming and gardening, and to help others whenever possible. Piano lessons were non‑negotiable, and both children learned early that in her family, you pitched in, worked hard, and stayed busy behind the scenes at the real estate office. She taught responsibility, kindness, and curiosity not through lectures, but through example.
Losing her son John four years ago broke her heart, yet she carried that grief with grace and strength, inspiring everyone around her.
Crickett was also a gifted cook—almost famous, really. Her cinnamon rolls were legendary, and her liver and onions were the best in town. Her garden overflowed with fruits and vegetables, far more than she could ever use. After giving baskets away to neighbors and friends, she spent evenings canning, freezing, and preserving the harvest. Her pantry was a testament to her work ethic, generosity, and love of feeding others.
Life tested her in ways that would have broken many. In 1979, Ernest passed away suddenly. Six months later, the farmhouse she shared with her children, then just 10 and 13 burned to the ground. But she did what she had always done: she stood up, gathered her strength, and rebuilt a life for her family. Her resilience was powerful, and it shaped everyone who knew her.
In time, love found her again. Charles Wolfe, also widowed, asked her out on a date and the rest was history. Through Charlie, she gained not only a loving partner but five grown stepchildren and, over the next 30 years, dozens of grandchildren and great‑grandchildren who adored her. She and Charlie shared a love of creating a beautiful garden and yard around their home and lake, complete with swans, and they developed, out of necessity, a shared love of mowing the lawn. They also enjoyed traveling together and going on many adventures, embracing every opportunity to experience life side by side.
In her later years, Crickett moved to Colorado to be near her daughter April. There, she learned to slow down and savor the simple things; mountain drives, family dinners, and attending local musicals with April, her husband Robert, and her grandchildren Emma and Truman. It was a peaceful, joyful chapter filled with comfort and presence.
Through it all, Jasper the cat was her constant companion. He made the journey to Colorado with her and stayed by her side every day, right up to her final moments.
Crickett loved music, especially jazz. John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, these weren’t just musicians to her; they were companions, soundtracks to her days, and reminders of the joy she found in rhythm and improvisation.
Crickett will be remembered for her humor, her warmth, her generosity, her compassion for animals, her exquisite rose garden, her love of music, epic summer cookouts, and the way she made everyone feel welcomed and cared for. Among her greatest joys was the time she spent with her grandchildren. Every summer she hosted “Camp Grandma,” a tradition she lovingly created to bring her grandchildren together. Those days were filled with stories, adventures, cooking, exploring, and the kind of laughter that brought generations together. It remains one of the most cherished parts of her legacy. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, love, and laughter that will live on in all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter April Lehmann Phinney; son‑in‑law Robert Phinney; daughter‑in‑law Bobbi Lehman; sister Melody Kazmi; grandchildren Emma Phinney, Truman Phinney, Megan Evans, and Baylee Lehman; five stepchildren Tommy, Karl, Jimmy, and Mark Wolfe, and Eileen Sharitz; and many step‑grandchildren and great‑grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, John Lehman.
Graveside Services and Interment will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Climax Springs Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held the same day at 2:30 P.M. at the Climax Springs Civic Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Dogwood Animal Shelter, to support the rescue and placement of companion animals who enrich the lives of the people who love them. Dogwood Animal Shelter, 1075 Runabout Drive, Osage Beach, MO 65065 www.daslakeoftheozarks.com Phone 573-346-7932
