Kolar, M. Elizabeth

M. Elizabeth Kolar, 95, of Marion, formerly of Lancaster, Wis., died Friday, June 24, 2011, at Summit Pointe Senior Living Community following a brief illness.

She was born March 16, 1916, to Clarence and Daisy (Tuckwood) McMahon in Lancaster, Wis. She married L. Donald Kolar on June 8, 1937. He preceded her in death on July 25, 1992. Elizabeth was a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Platteville and was employed by the Grant County Department of Social Services for 21 years, retiring Sept. 1, 1983.

Survivors include daughters, Rebecca (Dave) Farris of Clarksville, Tenn., and Sarah of Mount Vernon; son, Mac (Kathi) of Dumfries, Va.; her daughter-in-law, Barbara (Leon) Henry of New Holstein, Wis.; son-in-law, Wayne (Barb) Chamberlain of Milwaukee, Wis.; and adopted daughter, Carolyn Cooper of Mount Vernon. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Bryan (Heather) Farris of Silex, Neb., David (Lori) Farris of Tampa, Fla., Jon (Maureen) Farris of Lakewood, Colo., Christopher (Jenny) Chamberlain of Grayslake, Ill., Danielle (Terry) McGraw-Carden of Plainfield, Ill., Justin (Donna) Chamberlain of Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; Anna Kolar of Kiel, Wis., Rebecca (Andre) Bilak of Milwaukee, Wis., Mary (Shawn) Wesener of Newton, Wis., Petty Officer 3 Brett Kolar, U.S. Navy, San Diego, Calif., and John Kolar of Dumfries, Va.; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Royce Kolar; sisters-in-law, Genevieve Parker and Lonnie Kolar; and many nieces and nephews.

Her daughter, Gretchen; brother, Richard McMahon; and sister, Helen McMahon, also preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, at First Methodist Church in Lancaster, Wis., with lunch to follow. Family will greet friends at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Private burial will be at a later date. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion, Iowa and Larson Funeral Home in Fennimore, Wis., are assisting the family.

Memorials may be given to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515 or through its website  

Please sign the online guest book for Elizabeth at   under obituaries.