Joseph Kolar

Joseph "Joe" Kolar, a longtime resident of Kamiah, passed suddenly from this life at his home on November 30, 2021 at the age of 83. Recently he was able to spend time with family and friends at several events so we are grateful to have had the chance to see him before God called him home.

Joe was born to Joseph Frank and Cecilia Lillian Kolar on October 21, 1938 in Painesdale, Michigan. He met his first love Bernice Thomas in high school and they married on June 29th, 1957 in Bozeman, MT. They moved to Kamiah and soon began their family. After moving to a variety of towns across the West for work, Joe settled in Kamiah in 1975 where he lived the rest of his days.

Joe worked in the lumber industry his entire career. His passion was attending his kid's events and particularly following Kamiah High School sports. He enjoyed volunteering to help run the clock or time races or manage chains at football games and rarely missed any of them. He was very active and devoted member of St. Catherine's Catholic parish as a lector and cantor and participated in many Knights of Columbus activities. He especially enjoyed bowling and going to the Kamiah Senior Community Center where he was a passionate pinochle and bingo player. Joe very much loved the outdoors - hunting, fishing and camping - and never missed the annual Kolar Reunion campout.

Joe was the father of 7 children, 28 grandchildren, and several dozen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Cecilia Kolar, his wife Bernice, his son-in-law Kirk Bauer, his brother and his wife Phillip & Mary Rose Kolar, and brother-in-law Howard Daugherty (Virginia).

Survivors include his seven children, Donna Bauer of Plains, MT, Mike Kolar of Burns, OR, Doug Kolar (Derra) of Boise, ID, Dan Kolar (Angela) of Birmingham, AL, Greg Kolar (Jane) of Clarkston, WA, Jim Kolar (Heidi) of Coeur d'Alene, ID, and Jennifer Broncheau (Alex) of Post Falls, ID. Joe also came from a large family of 8 kids and is survived by his siblings Ken (Anne), Virginia, John (Kathy), David (Connie), Richard (Darlene) and Theresa (John Faerber).

A funeral mass will be held December 11, 2021 at 11AM at St. Catherine's Church in Kamiah, 407 7th St with a graveside service to follow at the Kamiah Cemetery at 12:15PM. A Rosary will be prayed at 9:30AM followed by viewing and visitation at 10AM. A meal will be served immediately following the graveside service at the St. Catherine's social hall. All are welcome to join us.

In lieu of flowers (which are welcome), donations can be made to St. Catherine's in his honor. Trenary Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.