How do you tell the life story of a woman who has lived and loved as much life as Kathy Kolar, our dear wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Kathy was born and raised in Orofino, Idaho on May 5, 1948, to Jay and Velma Henson. She was a sweet, spunky girl with a great sense of humor. She took on greater responsibilities than most at a young age due to her little sister's illness. Her younger brother described her as a guardian, which still rings true for those who know her today.

Family meant everything to her, and she took great pride in the strength she learned from her mother, grandmother and great grandmother, as well as her Dad who was larger than life in her eyes. During her high school years, she encountered the man who would become the love of her life. "I kind of chased him till he caught me," she said. It wasn't long and she married John Kolar on June 5, 1965, at St. Catherines Catholic Church in Kamiah, Idaho. There they made a home where they soon became parents with their firstborn son in March of 1966. Wasting no time, they were soon pregnant with their second child and moving to the Plummer area. In 1967, a week after their first daughter was born, they moved into their happily-ever-after home where they have lived ever since.

Through the next 15 years they had six additional children, four boys and two girls. They sacrificed living off of a single income for the sake of their God given role of raising their children. Throughout those years, she and her husband, John, took many kids into their home through various circumstances, some living with them for a time. They truly had a love for the community, especially the children. Kathy spent time subbing in the local school district as well as serving for seven years on the school board. She also subbed as a rural carrier for the US Postal service, and after their youngest child was old enough, she took on a full-time position there for the next 30 years. During that time, in 1995, she and John purchased the Gateway Cafe and for the next 17 years she used it as an avenue to help people and, of course, have plenty of great conversations with friends as Kathy loved to talk and tell stories. As she went on in life, there were many variations and embellishments in her stories, making for more anticipation of the details. She was quite the storyteller. Getting closer to retirement, she proudly passed the Gateway onto her son and daughter-in-law to carry on the tradition.

Not only was Kathy active in the community and school, but she also spent much of her time in the church making food for all occasions as she was already accustomed to cooking for a small army. She and John led the children's ministry for a while, and she was part of the women's group that planned events at the Catholic Church in Plummer. Everyone was welcome in their home, and again, there was no shortage of food and hospitality. Many times it seemed as if half the kids in Plummer were at their house. So many lives have been touched by this couple and in 2016 they were made Grand Marshals of the Plummer Day Parade.

Kathy is survived by husband John Kolar; children Matthew & (Holly) Kolar, Deanne & (Barry) Mellen, Mark Kolar, Christine Hodgson, Luke & (Misty) Kolar, Adam Kolar, and Mary & (Billy) Gentry; 30 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; siblings Joe & (Sharon) Henson, Terri Ralston, and Randy & (Linda) McKinnon. She is preceded in death by parents Velma Henson-McKinnon, Jay Henson and Bill Mckinnon; siblings Michael Henson and Deborah Henson; son Paul Kolar; and granddaughter Michelle Allen.

Kathy was an avid shopper, loved camping, girl's outings, babies, and any and all get togethers with family and friends, which always entailed her making delicious food. She was loving, generous, and compassionate and has touched countless lives. Kathy passed away on May 14, 2025, at the age of 77, just 3 weeks shy of her 60th wedding anniversary. The legacy that this husband and wife have bestowed upon their children, grandchildren, family, and friends has had such a tremendous impact that it will live on through generations to come. She is quoted saying, "The most important thing in my life is God... I pray that when we go, we all will be at that big campground in the sky. And that's what my inheritance is to you, is love everybody as God has loved you. Especially love Jesus Christ and believe in Him and He will take us all home, and we will be together."

Rosary was recited on May 16, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Plummer, ID.  Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Mission in DeSmet, ID with dinner following at Kolar Lodge.  Kathy was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Plummer, ID