Tony Kolar, 91, formerly of Taylor, died Sunday, August 21, 2016 at CHI St. Alexius, Dickinson, with family at his side. Tony’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Immanuel Church of Taylor, with Rev. Janel Kolar officiating. Interment will follow at the Taylor Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Richardton American Legion Theo R. Zech Post 180. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday at 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Anton Peter Kolar was born June 26, 1925, the youngest child of Frank and Mary (Ficek) Kolar. He grew up on the family homestead south of South Heart, where he attended country school. He joined the U.S. Army and while in the service his parents moved to a farm north of Taylor. Following his honorable discharge from the military, he moved back home and met Clarice Gullickson, the two were united in marriage on November 22, 1949.
He eventually purchased the family farm, which he and Clarice made their home, and they raised their eight children, four boys and four girls. In addition to working the farm, Tony spent many hours building calf feeders and shelters for others while also working at Bosch Lumber for 45 years. He would be the first to say, it was all possible due to the help Clarice provided with the farm. While working for Bosch, he never missed a day of work due to illness and was known to customers as “the guy that runs”, because of his desire to help them as quick as possible.
The saddest time of his life was the loss of Clarice at her young age of 59. He remained on the farm until a stroke made it necessary for him to move to Evergreen Assisted Living in October 2010. In 2016, he moved to St. Benedict’s Health Center, where he spent his remaining time. While his heart was at home, he did take several trips over the years to Montana, Colorado and Oregon. He did not have many hobbies, but his family and work were important to him. He leaves us with a legacy of love, character and work ethic. He was a kind, strong and humble man, and always had a smile for everyone. There is peace in knowing that he is walking in Heaven today with that little tilt to his cap. He never failed to respond to an “I love you” from his family without an “I love you more”. It’s now our turn to say, “Dad, We love you more”.
Tony is survived by his children, Della Jean (Dick) Allen, Clayton (Teresa) Kolar, Curtis (Janel) Kolar, Corby Kolar, Connie (Leon) Decker, Rhonda (Ken) Krogh, Lyndell (Daniel) Bernhardt, and Cordell (special friend, Dakota Schoch) Kolar; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Georgene (Leonard) Bernhardt, Blanche Naumann, Evelyn Hermann, Edna Irwin, Cece Gullickson and Gloria Gullickson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clarice on March 22, 1987; parents, Frank and Mary; and three brothers; and four sisters.
The family wishes to thank his doctors, nurses, CHI St. Alexius, Evergreen, and St. Benedict’s for their loving care.
