Geneva Kolar

Geneva Marie Kolar, age 85 of Walnut Grove, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025 at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Care Center. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Wednesday. Burial is in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Geneva Marie Kolar was born September 17, 1940 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Walter and Bernice (Sayre) Nissel. When Geneva was very young, her father remarried to Veronica ‘Vonnie’ (Matula), who lovingly helped raise Geneva and her brother, Sonny. Geneva attended country school for a few years before continuing her education at the Walnut Grove High School. On January 29, 1957, Geneva was united in marriage to Robert “Hub” James Kolar in Milroy and they shared nearly 60 years of marriage before Hub’s death in 2016. Geneva was a caregiver to the core; she cared for her parents as they aged, raised her 9 children, and worked for over 30 years as a nurse’s aide at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. She also devoted many years working for the Walnut Grove Ambulance Service. Geneva was a talented baker who showcased her skills working at the Walnut Grove Bakery, and also lovingly created countless cakes for friends and family to celebrate special occasions. She made the best potato salad (always in large quantities!) which was requested by many. Geneva loved collecting items, and built quite a collection of Denim Days figurines. As her children were growing up, Geneva could often be found outside the house, hitting softballs for her boys to catch. She was a devoted wife, sister, mother and grandmother, and her family will forever cherish her memory.

Geneva is survived by her daughter-in-law, Cindy Kolar of Sioux Falls; children: Rocky (Karen) of Westbrook, Robert Jr. of ND, Twyla (Michele) Cady of Montrose, Jon “Ernie” (Amy) of Mankato, Mary (Blaine) Corlett of Brookings, Lynae (Bradd) Bakken of Westbrook, and Gene (Missy) of Sergeant Bluff, IA; grandchildren: Brady and Austin Kolar, Shaun Kolar, Crystal Knakmuhs, Chandra Carlson, Samantha Palmer, Al, Rob, and John Kolar, Trevor, Dustin, and Nick Lickteig, Jayce, Jared, and Jesse Corlett,  Tarra Berent, Brandon Kronschnabel, Christina Plautz, Heather Snyder, Kortney Kolar, Tony and Derrick Kolar, Rachel Amerson, Seth Moller, Rebecca Johnson, Sarah Diamond, Abby, Lydia, Luke, Benjamin, and David Moller, Tate and Mathew Scotting, Hope Kirkpatrick, Riley Scotting, Reed and Avoree Bakken, Abby Monger, and Andy Kolar; 56 great grandchildren; brother Sonny Nissel; nephew Troy; niece Andrea; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Hub, son Ronald, daughter Cindy, daughter-in-law Jodi Kolar, sister-in-law Karen Nissel, and great grandchildren: Breckon, Maverick, and Lily Ann.