Lenore L. Kolar

Lenore Lee Kolar nee Anema, age 85, late of Tinley Park, IL passed away on May 22, 2023, at Lightways Hospice after a short illness. Born in Chicago, Illinois on July 10, 1937. She was the daughter of Lillian Otten and Gilbert Anema. Lenore grew up in Roseland and her family moved to Tinley Park, IL in 1945.

Lenore met her first husband Fred Clausen when she was only 8 years old, growing up together. They eloped at the age of 17 on May 20, 1955 in Hernando, Mississippi and were married 36 years. They took guardianship of Fred's 2 sisters after his parent's passed unexpectedly and also raised 4 children of their own. Lenore married her second husband Henry Kolar on September 24, 1994 and they were married 19 years when Henry passed away.

Lenore was always happy, living to the fullest and making sure to live everyday with joy and without complaint. She always said that living was a gift and to enjoy it. She was the sweetest person you ever met and never said a bad thing about anyone. She gave the best hugs ever and would squeeze you around the neck to let you know how much she loved you. She was an avid storyteller and could share in great detail, stories of her life through the years. Lenore loved her country and was a very proud American and loved seeing all the flags displayed around town. Lenore also had a love for Genealogy and most days you would find her searching for another amazing story about someone she knew. She enjoyed it so much that she would often search up family trees for friends and family and give the info as gifts.

She most of all loved her children with all her heart. She also loved people and enjoyed talking and visiting with family and friends regularly. Her best friend in the world was her big sister Connie and they would still talk on the phone multiple times per day. She loved animals, especially her cat and loved spoiling her many Grand-dogs. She loved nature and could sit for hours looking at the trees, flowers and the birds, especially hummingbirds. Her passion for elephants led to a life long collection of dozens of them in all shapes and sizes. She was certainly one of a kind and cherished everything and everyone. She touched so many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.


Cherished mother of Fred Clausen Jr., Norma (George) Murray, John (Mary) Clausen, and Shirley (William) Chada. Proud grandma of Samantha (Kyle) Cermak, Michael Chada, Cole Chada, Brooke Prusa, and Alyssa Murray. Extremely proud great grandma of Cameron Cermak. Loving sister of Cornelia Ruhbeck, the late Gilbert Anema, and the late Wayne Anema. Caring Aunt to many neieces and nephews. Dear daughter of the late Gilbert and late Lillian Anema.


Visitation, Tuesday, May 30th, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. until time of Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m. at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 S. Harlem Ave. Tinley Park, IL 60477. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to U.S Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information 708-532-1635 or www.vandenbergfuneralhome.com