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
Hays Roden
01/17/2012
Sunday Jan. 15th we lost a great man my father in-law Tibor Kolontar who we all knew as Ted. He always knew how to get a smile out of you, he always brought you up when you where down and he knew how to live life to the fullest and show other how to do the same.
My heart goes out to my wife and my in-laws and my prayers are with each and every one of you at this time we all knew dad as a happy and loving guy and he wants every one of us to celebrate life and live it to our fullest just like he has taught us all to do
Remember feeling good and looking good words we all need to live by RIP my friend you will never be forgotten.
Karen Mortimer
01/16/2012
I am very sorry for your loss..Ted was so much fun, he will be remembered forever!!! Be at peace knowing that he is in Gods hands & is not suffering anymore. God bless all of you...