posted - 12/06/2005

JOLIET - James Vincent Kolar, 78, of Joliet, a retired soil conservation agent and army veteran, died of acute leukemia on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, in Great Falls.

Visitation will be held at Schnider Funeral Home on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The vigil will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church at 7 p.m. that evening. The Funeral liturgy will be at Holy Family Catholic Church on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. A Mass for James will be held in Joliet at a later date. Schnider Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.

James is survived by his good friend and companion, Joan Lippert; brothers, Frank (Mary) Kolar of Raynesford; John Kolar of Twin Falls, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Koehmstedt; his parents, Frank and Mary Kolar; his brother, Joe Kolar and sisters, Mary Kolar and Ann Medvec.

James was born to Frank and Mary (Belusko) Kolar on May 29, 1927, in Great Falls. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Belt Valley High School in 1946. He entered the Army during World War II. Upon his discharge, he returned home and then attended MSU in Bozeman and received his bachelor's degree in soil conservation. He worked in Big Sandy, Townsend, White Hall and Joliet - living there for over 30 years.

James was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Joliet Senior Citizens. His hobbies included spending time with his family, traveling and gardening.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Poor Clare Sisters.