John Kolars

John P. Kolars, 89. Osage, MN, died Thursday at Essentia-St. Mary's Health in Detroit Lakes. Funeral Services were 11:00 AM Monday, January 31 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Snellman, MN, Reverend Raymond Hendrickson, officiating. Interment will be in Gethsemane Lutheran Cemetery with Military Rites provided by the Lake Region Color Guard. John Paul Kolars was born June 11, 1921 in Minneapolis, MN to Joseph and Alline (Deming) Kolars. He was raised and educated in Minneapolis and is a 1941 graduate of Minneapolis Roosevelt High School. John served with the U. S. Navy 1942 – 1945 where he was an aircraft navigator. While serving on Iwo Jima, his plane was shot down and he spent 2 ½ days floating in the Sea of Japan. He was rescued by the submarine USS Tigron. Following his discharge, he returned to Minneapolis where he was united in marriage to Viora Christenson, June 8, 1946. In 1947, they purchased the Bambi Resort on Toad Lake in rural Osage, MN which they operated until 1981. During the winter months, John drove truck and also worked as an insurance adjuster.

John enjoyed flying, golf, duck hunting, fishing, visiting and being around people. He was a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, the Civil Air Patrol out of Park Rapids, the American Legion and was a life member of the VFW. Survivors include his wife, Viora of Osage, a brother-in-law: James Christenson of Grand Junction, CO and a sister-in-law: Arline Anderson of Minnetonka, MN. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Monday, January 31, 2011

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