Tibor "Ted" Kolontar
January 15, 2012
Tibor (Ted) Kolontar passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2012, at home. Born in Budapest, Hungary, on July 26, 1940, he courageously fought his way to the United States in 1956 as a Freedom Fighter during the Hungarian Revolution. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict. Ted became a United States Citizen on September 11, 1992.
He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Charla; six children, Marika (Bill) Locklear, Carole Pinault, Erika (Hays) Kolontar-Roden, Larry (Jessy) Kolontar, Nickie (Chad) Kolontar-Cline, and Tiffany (Brian) Rumelhart; 13 grandkids, Carmen, Brandon, Courtney , Levi, Tibor (TJ), Lacey, Marissa, Kevin, Joao, Gavin, Joscelyn, Bobbi and Elijah; and one great grandchild, Tatianna.
Ted and Charla owned the Distillery Lounge in Ankeny, from 1982-1993, during this time they made many friends and they will forever be in their hearts. Ted was employed with Prairie Meadows for many years, serving up libations for many, and prior to his diagnoses, he drove a bus for Ankeny schools and loved each one of the kids on his bus. Ted never knew a stranger and touched many lives.
There will be a visitation at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 19, 2012. A private family service will be held on Friday, with burial taking place at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa.
The family would like to invite everyone to join them for a Celebration of Life at 6 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2012, at Boline-Manfredi VFW Post 9662, 1309 NE 66th Avenue in Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up in Ted’s name at Veridian Credit Union for the family to support the Leiomyo-Sarcoma Cancer Foundation.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
ww.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Tibor (TJ)
09/04/2013
got to tell my friends and other classmates my grandfather's amazing story of how he came to America the other day. Hard to hold back tears but we had the best story grandpa can't top that. LOVE YOU GRANDSON!
michael mcmurry
01/02/2013
almost a year, osci, and i still can't shake it.
Andrea Shar Pasztor
09/03/2012
Dear Charla, how we lost contact so many years ago. My Heart stopped beating when I found the Notice of Tibor's passing. I am terribly saddened-life moved too fast.
Love, Andrea
Michael McMurry
03/08/2012
Thinking about you everyday, partner.
Denny Skelton
01/19/2012
I am so sorry to hear about Ted's (The Gambler) passing. My condolences to Charla and family. I am sorry I can't be there in person (am in Florida until Feb 1st)to help you remember Tibor and celebrate his life on the 21st. My prayers are with you all.
Ken Stanley
01/19/2012
I'm thinking now of Charla and family and praying that you find peace in knowing that Ted is now without suffering and find comfort in treasuring the good memories. Tibor was a great friend to me and to many and I am proud to have known him. To say he will be greatly missed by family and friends is an understatement. My thoughts and prayers will continue on.
May God Bless and keep you,
Ken Stanley
John Thrailkill
01/19/2012
I can say I did not know Mr. Kolontar, but after reading about
him I wish I did. He sounds like a wonderful man and freind
to any one that knew or came in touch with him. May the peace of
God be with you all in this time of grief and morning.
JT Louisville, Ky
Kate
01/18/2012
Tiffany, Brian and Kolontar Family,
We continue to pray for Ted and the family daily.
May he rest in peace and continue to look down at his
beautiful family.
Love and prayers always,
Kate, Ben, Benny, Caleb, Ethan and Maxiumus
Denny Elwell
01/18/2012
To a good friend with many good memories. Denny Elwell & family
Dawn Cain
01/18/2012
Tibor, I have to remember one thing....No one ever really dies as long as they took the time to leave us with fond memories. There are so many memories of you. I have never in my life met anyone else that can even come close to the person you were on this earth, I always admired what a beautiful family you had created, and have to say I was a bit envious because I wish I would have had that too, you have left lots of strength and fond memories to all of us, especially your family RIP my friend, until we meet again. I love you Tibor!!!
Mary Modtland (Modtland Family)
01/18/2012
Just wanted to express our sympathy to your family in the loss of
your husband/father. We are the next door neighbors to the family
and Ted always had a smile and was always so kind when we would pull up to visit with our parents and brother. His pleasant deameaner will be
missed and our converstions we had were very nice. Our hearts
go out to your entire family during this loss. Our hearts and prayers are
with you daily to help endure your loss and during the grieving process.
May the good Lord be your strength during this tough time.
Mary Modtland and the Modtland Family
Julie Feller
01/18/2012
Tiffany and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Although I did not know him, I felt like I did through all of the stories you shared with me when we worked together at TMG. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
God's Blessings to you--
Julie Feller
Tibor (TJ) Kolontar
01/17/2012
To Grandpa,
I am so very honored to be carrying on your name. Everytime someone says my name they will remember you. I wish we could have played that chess game and you could have seen me play basketball. Last Friday I came to see you I walked in and gave you a hug and said I love you grandpa, and he said I love you too Tibor but you smell like "crap" he said the other word but I can't say that, I said I got sweaty at school today grandpa he said Oh that's fine Tibor. I'm glad I got to spend time with you and I will always remember the time we walked Peanut and you were singing a song you made up it went "Peanut is a best friend of mine, she's my dog" and repeat and repeat. I will never forget you and I can't go one day without remembering something funny you said. I miss you already.
I love you! LIL TIBOR
Lisa Kolontar
01/17/2012
To the man I call my "Forever" Father in Law.
I have missed you and will always miss you. You will forever be in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers.
My fondest memory is the night of 3-28-2000, we had previously decided to name our son after you. We hadn't shared that yet until he was born. You were so surprised, so happy and so proud to have a LIL TIBOR. We were honored to name our son after you.
I will continue to share my fondest memories and moments of you with Lil Tibor. I am so very blessed to have had been a part of your life. No matter how long I live or who I meet in life you will always be the most unforgetable, one of a kind person I have or will ever meet and I loved you very much.
To Charla, Carole, Marika, Erika, Larry, Nickie and Tiffany,
I know that he is someplace loving. I know how much you all loved him and most of all I witnessed how much he loved you back. My deepest sympathies go out to each of you, I am so very very sorry.
Love you all, Lisa
Kimi Perry -Banderas
01/17/2012
So sorry to hear of Teds passing. I send prayers to the family as
i know he will be greatly missed.