Mary Louise Hanson Kollar

Mary Louise Hanson Kollar transitioned from this world life into one of endless summers, blue skies, balmy evenings and eternal happiness on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, just three weeks before her 85th birthday.

Mary Louise was born in Platt, SD, the daughter of Kathryn Boland and Mervin Hanson -- a WWI Army veteran of the trench warfares -- and the granddaughter of Capt. Jack Boland, of Missouri riverboat fame. Her mother was a young widow in the 1930’s, and in early 1944, after braving the cold South Dakota winters, packed up their 1939 Pontiac, and brought Mary Louise and her younger sister Patricia Ann to the sun-kissed, orange grove land of Glendale, Calif.

Mary Louise graduated from Holy Family High School, Class of ‘45 and five years later married William Kollar, Sr. a WWII Army Air Corps veteran, who fought over the skies of North Africa, and Southern Europe. Her husband Bill was recalled by the Air Force for the Korean War, stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. where their first two children, Mary Theresa and Kathryn Elizabeth were born. After Bill’s release from the Air Force in 1953, they returned to Glendale and had two additional children, William James and Anne Marie.

After her children were successfully in school, Mary Louise entered the work force, first at the local public library, then, after passing a number of Civil Service exams, worked for the City of Los Angeles until retirement. Not only did she juggle the intricacies of raising four wonderful children with the requirements of her job, but at the same time managed to receive a BS degree in Business from the University of Redlands.

In retirement, she and her husband moved to the avocado groves of Fallbrook, Calif. There she embarked on a second career in real estate ending with her broker’s license. The last 25 years of her amazing life were spent with her husband in world travel and, as an avocation, she became involved in local artistic endeavors with the art center in Fallbrook and the camera club.

She is survived by Bill, her husband of 61 years; her daughters Theresa Farrell, Kathryn Johnson, and Anne Dennis; her son William Jr.; and eight wonderful grandchildren. She received the Last Rites of the Catholic Church from Fr. Brian Kelly (Capt. USN Ret.), a long-time family friend.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. and Rosary from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 at Berry-Bell and Hall Fallbrook Mortuary, 333 North Vine Street, Fallbrook, Calif. 92028. Funeral Mass to be held Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, 2:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 450 South Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, Calif. 92028.