Mary Kolar

Mary Faustina (Hodges) Kolar, formerly of Raynesford residing in Great Falls died of natural causes at the age of 91 on Christmas Eve at Benefis Hospital.A vigil service will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at St. Marks Catholic Church in Belt. The Funeral Liturgy will at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at St. Marks Catholic Church with burial to follow at Pleasantview Cemetery, Belt. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Mary is survived by her children: Charles (Susan) Kolar, Raynesford; Judy Kolar, Helena; Vince (Patty) Kolar, Raynesford; Joe (Shelley) Kolar, Raynesford; Elaine (Don) Miller, Great Falls; Bob (Carol) Kolar, Helena; Celia Kolar, East Helena; Johanna (Eric) Collins, Ketchikan, Alaska; and David Kolar, Englewood, Colorado; twenty-three grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren; and brother, Donald Hodges, Kalispell.She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; daughter, Mary Christina Gordon; mother, Mable Gertrude Huffman; father, Charles Howard Hodges; brothers Sammie Hodges and David Varner; sisters Thelma Hodges and Josephine E. Hornseth.She was born January 29, 1922, in Stanford, MT. She spent her early grade school years in Los Angeles, California, where she lived with her aunt and uncle, Al and Nellie Hodges. She moved back to Stanford when she was in the 6th grade, and graduated from Stanford High School. She attended nursing school in Lewistown for one year.In 1940, when she boarded the train The Goose in Raynesford, enroute to Bozeman for the state 4-H Congress, she met the love of her life, Frank Kolar. Frank and Mary were both 4-H leaders at the time. They soon discovered they shared the same birth date. They married in 1942 at St. Leos in Lewistown. Together, they raised 10 children on the ranch Franks father homesteaded. She volunteered for over 15 years as a 4-H leader in cooking and sewing; and taught many young women to sew, including her daughters. She enjoyed working as an election clerk in the Raynesford precinct. She was an Avon Lady for over forty years.Mary dedicated her life to her family, her church and her community. She was an avid gardener and loved growing flowers. She was a lifelong member of St. Marys Altar Society. She spent countless hours cleaning St. Marys Church, and sewing, mending and ironing linens for the church. She loved to crochet and always had a stack of crocheted dishcloths to give to family and friends. She also enjoyed collecting stamps.In June 2012, she moved from Raynesford to the Sage House, Beehive Homes, in Great Falls. She enjoyed spending time with her caregivers and friends there, having someone cook for her, her weekly manicures and hair styling; as well as movie and popcorn night, watching Matlock and reading mysteries. She had many wonderful holiday celebrations there.Mary was a beauty from the start, and even most recently, caregivers and total strangers would comment on how beautiful she always looked. She will be remembered for her natural beauty and her perpetual smile.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Marys Altar Society, Raynesford, or Poor Clares at 3020 18th Ave S, Great Falls.