Glenda Kay Boeckman Wolf, 53, special education director for Kingfisher Public Schools and longtime champion for adults and children with physical and intellectual challenges, died Sunday, March 24, at the end of a year-long cancer battle.

The district has canceled school Friday so that teachers and students can attend Wolf’s funeral service, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the All-Purpose Building.

A Kingfisher native, Wolf was born March 18, 1966, to Glen and Connie Boeckman and graduated from Kingfisher High School in 1984.

A track and field All-Stater, Wolf also competed in basketball, tennis and golf.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Central State University in Edmond in 1988 and worked at the Children’s Center in Bethany, a rehabilitation hospital for children with complex medical needs.

Wolf was hired in 2007 as a teacher in Kingfisher Public Schools’ multi-handicapped center. Her teaching certifications eventually included early childhood, elementary education, multi-handicapped and traumatic brain injury.

“Glenda’s experience was a genuine asset to the students at Kingfisher schools,” former KPS superintendent Max Thomas said. “Her love and passion for students showed each day and she will be greatly missed.”

Wolf advanced to become the district’s special education director, a post she held until her death. She also was chosen by her peers as Kingfisher Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2010-11.

“She was such an incredible person who always championed her fellow teachers and students,” Kingfisher Supt. Jason Sternberger said. “Her love and desire to help those with a little more need is incomparable. Our prayers go out to her family .”

Wolf’s advocacy for those with special challenges weren’t limited to the school campus. She was a founding member of Kingfisher Wheatbelt Ambucs, an organization formed in 2010 to provide life enhancements to local children and adults with physical, intellectual and emotional challenges.

Wolf helped build wheelchair ramps and provide modified tricycles for area residents and had been active in developing, promoting and raising funds for Ambucs’ proposed Playground of Dreams, a safe, accessible and fun play area for children of all abilities that will eventually replace the existing playground equipment at Kingfisher Park.

“Glenda’s career was spent teaching and assisting children with disabilities and their parents. She was firm and consistent and set expectations with love,” fellow Ambucs member Erin Scammahorn said.

“She wanted children to be independent and successful in school and in life. Glenda saw every child who came before her as a unique individual who could achieve any task with the right inspiration.

“And Glenda is our inspiration to continue treating all people with kindness and dignity. And most of all, have fun and play.”

Wolf married Derrick Wolf of Kingfisher on Aug. 27, 2004.

She was a member of the Federated Church, Kingfisher Elks Lodge and Kingfisher Golf Association.

In addition to her husband and parents, Wolf is survived by her children, son Shae Michael Edwards and wife Anna of Bethany and daughter Kelsi Nicole Edwards of Kingfisher; brothers Randy Boeckman and wife Becky and Jeff Boeckman and wife Patricia, all of Kingfisher, and Mike Boeckman and wife Kim of Lindsay; mother-in-law Dorinda Wolf of Sedalia, Mo.; sister-in-law Shawna Stafford and husband Jeremy of Kingfisher; brother-in-law Shawn Thomsen and wife Brandi of Buda, Texas, along with numerous extended relatives.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Stanley Wolf.

Memorial donations in Wolf’s name can be made to: Wheatbelt Ambucs of Kingfisher County’s Playground of Dreams, P.O. Box 203, Kingfisher, OK 73750.