Memories & Candles
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“Dear Tim and family,
You have my heart-felt sympathy for the loss of your sister.
Annie Johnson
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1 of 53 | Posted by: Annie - Madeira Beach, FL
“So sorry to hear about Michelle's passing. I remember her as always being such a happy person. Monica my thoughts are with you and your whole family...Read More »
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2 of 53 | Posted by: Laurei(McGuiness)Bakkum - IA
“Chris, Joe and Matt,
Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Michelle. We are sorry we are not able to be with you today. Please know that you are in...Read More »
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3 of 53 | Posted by: The Zinneckers - Winona, MN
“Joe and Chris,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Chelsea
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4 of 53 | Posted by: Chelsea Kaczmarek
“Joe,
Having known you and your family throughout our school years, I am truly saddened to hear of your loss. God bless.
Helena Wonio
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5 of 53 | Posted by: Helena Wonio
“Joe/Chris...
As you can tell from reading all of these posts your Mom was an AWESOME person! There was never a dull moment working with your Mom....Read More »
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6 of 53 | Posted by: Tammy Murphy
“I mourn Michelle in two different ways. First, as a part of a big Catholic family in the neighborhood where there were Gardinas and DeTaeyes in many...Read More »
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7 of 53 | Posted by: Connie DeTaeye Ghinazzi - IA
“So very sorry for your loss. Know that the Gardina & Kolar families are in my thoughts & prayers. She was a wonderful lady, and I feel blessed to...Read More »
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8 of 53 | Posted by: Dawn Glasgow
“To the Gardina and Kolar families: my heartfelt sympathy to you on your loss of Michelle. The sad news brings to mind many happy memories of days at...Read More »
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9 of 53 | Posted by: Anne Linehan Carney - Joliet, IL
“Gardina family
So very sorry to hear of Michelle's passing. May God be with all of you during this difficult time. Sheryl
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10 of 53 | Posted by: Sheryl Cowherd Turner - Peoria, IL
“To all the Kolar boys~ dad too !
What a beautiful smile you have chosen to represent Michelle's earthly life ~ "I AM" certain God is enjoying that...Read More »
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11 of 53 | Posted by: Joanne - Franklin , TN
“I haven't seen Michelle in many years and I feel like a part of my heart is gone forever. She was a special person. I still consider all of you part...Read More »
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12 of 53 | Posted by: Cheri - Knoxville - friend
“I was so sorry to hear of Michelle's passing. Though I only worked with her a short time, I will always remember her bubbly personality, sense of...Read More »
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13 of 53 | Posted by: Janet Hall - Bettendorf, IA
“Aunt Michelle will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I love you all!
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14 of 53 | Posted by: Kristina Gardina Golden - TN
“Dear Joe and family,
May you know God's presence, especially now as you gather together to celebrate your mom's life.
With sympathy,
Jolleen
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15 of 53 | Posted by: Jolleen Wagner - Washington, DC
“Please be assured of the prayers of all at the offices of Christian Brothers Conference and the Lasallian Volunteers, and of all the Brothers at La...Read More »
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16 of 53 | Posted by: Bro. Gerry Frendreis - Washington, DC
“We are so saddened for your loss. We had many good years together in grade school and high school. I will always remember Michelle's smile. What a...Read More »
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17 of 53 | Posted by: Tom Zack - Wheaton, IL
“My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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18 of 53 | Posted by: Cathy Gettings Trexler - Cresson, PA
“Hey Jackie,
Life often makes no sense in what it gives and takes away. That randomness is not to be rationalized with 'if only...' or addressed...Read More »
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19 of 53 | Posted by: Tom Miller - Rockingham, VT - na
“Dear Jackie and Lauren,
So sad to know of your loss. You are in my thoughts, it is our hope that you will feel the support and love of your...Read More »
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20 of 53 | Posted by: Coleen Lawlor, Tom and John - VT
“Tim,
My sincerest condolences go to you and your family on the passing of your sister.
Bob
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21 of 53 | Posted by: Bob - Bolingbrook, IL
“I am so very saddened to hear of Michelle's passing. I have been praying my rosary for Michelle, her sister, Monica, and for the Gardina and Kolar...Read More »
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22 of 53 | Posted by: David La Mar - Ames, IA
“I remember the day I performed duties as a VIP escort for a visiting General Officer (GO). While the visiting GO conducting business with senior...Read More »
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23 of 53 | Posted by: MAJ Jennifer D. Vail
“Michelle and I worked in the Civilian Personnel office many years ago (around 1990 I think). We were both working part time and shared our feelings...Read More »
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24 of 53 | Posted by: Cindy Humphrey - Moline, IL
“Joe - so so sorry to hear this. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
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25 of 53 | Posted by: Rachel Wall (Carlisle) - Dubuque, IA
“I was stunned to hear about Michelle's passing. I used to work at Assumption when Joe was a student but I didn't meet Michelle until I went back to...Read More »
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26 of 53 | Posted by: Sue Haas - Davenport, IA - Friend
“Joe,
So sorry to hear about your mom. You will be on my mind this week.
Peace be with you and your family. I will keep you and your family in my...Read More »
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27 of 53 | Posted by: Jan Verwilst - Notre Dame, IN
“Joe,
May Christ's peace be with you and your family at this time.
Laura xXx
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28 of 53 | Posted by: Laura Waterhouse
“Matt, Joe & Chris,
I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot even begin to imagine the shock of this and what you all are going through. Your mom...Read More »
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29 of 53 | Posted by: Rachel (Bruno) Trenkamp - Aurora, IL
“Little League days were great. Michelle was the ultimate team mom. We'll never forget Michelle and her sign outside the fence at the World Series. ...Read More »
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30 of 53 | Posted by: rand & jeanne wonio - davenport
“Dear Kolar Family,
We want you to know we are thinking of you and your extended family. Please accept our condolences and know that we are...Read More »
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31 of 53 | Posted by: Peg Prentice - Baltimore, MD
“My condolences to your family. It was with great sadness I read of Michelle's passing and at such an early age. I worked with Michelle while both...Read More »
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32 of 53 | Posted by: Pam Ochs - Geneseo, IL
“Tim and family, so sorry to read of the passing of your sister. May your memories of happy family times comfort you.
Cecelia Kivlin Harmeyer
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33 of 53 | Posted by: Cecelia Kivlin Harmeyer - IA
“I used to work with Michelle over at TACOM, she always made me laugh along with gave me some great guidance when it came to my relationship and my,...Read More »
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34 of 53 | Posted by: Shalene Calvert - Co-Worker
“You and your smile will be missed by me!!!
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35 of 53 | Posted by: Bonnie Seals - Orion, IL
“I will always value Michelle's friendship. Over the years we went through the births of our children to working with each other. There was never a...Read More »
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36 of 53 | Posted by: Debbie Wollum - Blue Grass, IA
“Dear Tim and Family... My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
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37 of 53 | Posted by: Kathy Connell - classmate
“You brought such joy to the lives of Robin and me by sharing your wonderful sense to humor with us. Every hour we spent together was fun. You were a...Read More »
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38 of 53 | Posted by: Gary D. lizotte - Howard, OH
“Once again, in such a short period of time, it is with heavy hearts that we send our condolences to you, Jackie, and your family during another dark...Read More »
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39 of 53 | Posted by: Bud and Mary Bassing - MA
“So sorry to hear about Michelle's passing. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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40 of 53 | Posted by: Dave Watson - Vadnais Hts., MN
“To all my old friends, the Gardina family:
I am utterly saddened to hear of Michelle's death. I have so many very vivid memories of all of you...Read More »
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41 of 53 | Posted by: Becca Scott Lindahl - Des Moines, IA
“Joe, Chris and Family,
Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of you. I am completely devastated with the passing of Michelle. Michelle and I...Read More »
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42 of 53 | Posted by: Kris Kleinsmith - Davenport, IA
“Matt, Christopher and Joe, I am heartbroken and shocked about the passing of your mom. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Michelle was a best...Read More »
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43 of 53 | Posted by: Robin Lizotte - Mount Vernon, OH
“I'm so schocked and saddened to see that Michelle passed away so unexpectedly. We worked together several years ago at the Arsenal, and she was alot...Read More »
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44 of 53 | Posted by: Kathy Myers - friend
“I, too, am shocked and saddened by the passing of Michelle. I had just recently reconnected with her on Facebook. We used to hang out in our younger...Read More »
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45 of 53 | Posted by: Julie Corbett Circello - IA
“RIP- Michelle!
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46 of 53 | Posted by: Lori DeJonghe (Leebold)
“Dear Matt, Jo, Chris..
And To all of who knew and loved Michelle,
Greg and I and all of our family are extending our deepest sympathies and...Read More »
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47 of 53 | Posted by: Linda Dodds - Friend
“Michelle was one of my best friends at AHS and we recently reconnected when I returned to work on the Arsenal. What a wonderful woman and friend. ...Read More »
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48 of 53 | Posted by: Kelly Gilhooly - Bettendorf, IA
“I just talked to Michelle last week and didn’t expect this. She was such a bowl of energy and made everyday special. You couldn’t ask for a...Read More »
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49 of 53 | Posted by: Deanna - Orion, IL
“Monica and family, so saddened by your loss. I have so many memories of the St Pauls days with both of you and Lisa. May you take comfort in those...Read More »
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50 of 53 | Posted by: Gina Hood Blomberg - Linn Grove, IA
“I worked with Michelle at the Arsenal when she worked for TACOM. I will be out of town during the time of the visitation and funeral, but wanted to...Read More »
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51 of 53 | Posted by: Pam Gettert - Bettendorf, IA
“I am so shocked and saddened to hear about Michelle's passing. Please know that all of the Zacks are thinking and praying for all of you. God bless.....Read More »
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52 of 53 | Posted by: Lynne Zack-Flores - Bettendorf, IA
“I am so shocked and saddened to hear about Michelle's passing. Please know that all of the Zacks are thinking and praying for all of you. God bless.....Read More »
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53 of 53 | Posted by: Lynne Zack-Flores - Bettendorf, IA
Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Michelle J. Kolar, 51, a resident of Davenport will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2011 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 916 E. Rusholme Street, Davenport. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. You are invited to join the family for a prayer service Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Michelle died unexpectedly Thursday, November 3, 2011 at her residence in Davenport.
Michelle Jean Gardina was born October 6, 1960 in Peoria, Illinois, a daughter of John Andrew and Theresa Jean (Gettings) Gardina. She was one of ten children born from the union of Jack and Jean, and a twin sister to Monica
She was united in marriage to Matthew P. Kolar on June 16, 1984 at St. Paul the Apostle Church. They were married for twenty-years.
Michelle began a career with the Federal Government following graduation from Assumption High School. She then received a degree in cosmetology, and had a career as a beautician. After the birth of her children, she was a proud mother and homemaker, and simultaneously attended classes at St. Ambrose University. She received her BA in sociology from St. Ambrose in 1999, and then resumed her over twenty –year career with the Federal Government. She was currently serving as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy to the Commander of the Army Sustainment Command at the Rock Island Arsenal.
She was a member of St. Paul the Apostle parish, and had been active at the school during her sons, Joe and Chris's elementary educations. She was very proud of her boys accomplishments; both educationally and in sports. She was an ever present and enthusiastic supporter at the boys sporting conquests. She cherished having the ability to attend various sporting events the boys were competing in with her parents, Jack and Jean. She also enjoyed gardening, walking the bike path, and cooking and baking for her family and her son's friends.
Memorials are suggested to St. Paul the Apostle School.
Survivors include her beloved sons, Joseph Kolar, Notre Dame, Indiana and his fiancé, Claire Johnson, and Christopher Kolar, Chicago; sisters, Faith (Larry) Endresen, Bettendorf, Hope Gardina, Cedar Rapids, Claudia (Scott) Mescher, Hibbing, MN, Cindy Gardina, Oakbrook Terrace, IL; Monica (Mike) Slamkowski, Colorado Springs, CO, and Jackie (Lauren Bassing) Gardina, Putney, VT; brother's, Tim (Ileana) Gardina, Managua, Nicaragua, Kevin Gardina, Muscatine, and Tony (Stacey) Gardina, Yokohama, Japan; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Jean Gardina.
SEARCH OTHER SOURCES
Visitation
November 09, 2011
4:00 PM
to 7:00 PM
Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home
614 Main Street
Davenport, IA 52803
Mass of Christian Burial
November 10, 2011
10:00 AM
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
916 E. Rusholme St.
Davenport, IA 52803
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