Valinda Jean Wolfe (née McIlvain), 71, passed away March 4, 2026, in Bossier City, Louisiana, following an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. A viewing (wake) will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Strode Funeral Home, 610 S. Duncan Street.

Valinda was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She graduated from Perkins-Tryon High School in 1973 and went on to attend Northern Oklahoma College before earning her bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University in 1981. On April 3, 1982, she married Steve Wolfe. Throughout her career, Valinda worked as a science teacher, basketball coach, and later as a registered nurse, serving her community until her retirement in 2023.

Valinda is preceded in death by her father, Coach Ditz McIlvain.

She is survived by her mother, Norma McIlvain; her husband, Steve Wolfe; her son, Matthew Wolfe; her brother, Jimmie McIlvain; and her sister, Candy Bruce.