Obituary

Norma Jean Kolesar

Norma Jean Kolesar, 77, of Lake Forest, CA, passed away peacefully in her home with her husband and family by her side on January 28, 2021.

Norma was born on April 20, 1943, in Sparland, Illinois to Lottie Henrietta Marple and Ernest Delmar Pyles. She was born the 6th of 10 children. In May of 1964 Norma married Joseph Anthony Kolesar. They had 3 children, Brian, Todd and Marcia.

In her early years Norma worked in a glass factory, where she would meet Joe. Shortly after marriage they would move their family to Orange County, CA.

Norma was a devoted wife and mother. She spent several years being a housewife and on the weekends her and Joe had their own custodial company and would clean buildings. Later, Norma would spend over 20 years taking care of the elderly, cleaning their house and doing errands.

Then after retirement she and Joe loved to travel. Hawaii, Germany, the Netherlands and Scotland were some of the places they would visit. They also loved to take local road trips in their RV.

If you could imagine from her work, Norma always had a clean house. She was a bit of a clean freak. Never a crumb on the floor or dirty dish in the sink. Norma was an avid reader. She could read a book in 2 days. She loved going to the library, either dropping off books or picking up used ones for $1.00.

She also loved collecting things, glass; she has the most beautiful crystal vases, bowls and glasses stored everywhere in her house and in her china cabinet. There are also little angel figurines (among others) on shelves, in cabinets and on display throughout her home. But I think her favorite thing to collect would have to have been jewelry. She absolutely loved her jewelry. Every finger would have a ring, or two. As much as she loved wearing her jewelry, she loved giving it away. Norma would go visit family in Illinois and come home with bags of jewelry she would find in thrift stores and then she would ask friends and family to come over and pick out their favorite pieces.

She was so selfless, always caring for others. Especially her family, whom she loved deeply. There will forever be a huge emptiness where her beautiful smile, pretty blue eyes and beautiful soul once filled.

Norma is survived by her husband, Joe Kolesar, her two sons Brian Carroll, Todd (Lisa) Kolesar, and her daughter Marcia (Mark) Miller. As well as her grandchildren Joseph Drake, ColleenTilson, Corcoran Carroll, Kyla Carroll, Zakory Miller, Riley Miller, Lukas Kolesar and Mia Kolesar, along with 5 great grandchildren. Her brothers, Dale Pyles, Rodney Pyles and Denver Pyles and her sister, Jo Ellen Real. Those who preceded her death are her parents, two brothers, Gene and Ed and her three sisters, Vesta, Nancy and Tine.

Her family will be having a celebration of life at her home on March 27, 2021.