At the age of 94, Joan Kolesar died peacefully early Sunday morning on Oct. 18, 2026. Daughter of Edna and Clarence Hutcheson, she was born on a farm just outside of Nash, Oklahoma on June 5, 1932. Joan was the middle child of 3 daughters and self-proclaimed tomboy who helped with a lot of outside chores and gardening. She graduated from Nash High School in 1950 and took business classes at Northwest Oklahoma State Teachers College at Alva.
Joan married John Kolesar on August 25, 1951 in Enid, Oklahoma. They lived in Stillwater while John attended Oklahoma A&M. They relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in 1953 were John found work at Westinghouse. They raised their 4 children in Belton, Missouri. Joan retired in 1989 after 18 years as a Lunchroom Aide for the Belton School District.
Joan and John had celebrated 67 years when John passed away in 2018. They are the proud parents of Janell Cecil of Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnna Donovan of St. Joseph, Missouri, James Kolesar of Augusta, Kansas and Janet Pressly of Lee's Summit, Missouri. She was the loving grandmother of 11 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.
Joan was preceded in death by two sisters: June Montgomery and Jeanie Patterson, and her oldest daughter Janell Cecil and two grandson, Justin Donovan and Jay Bullock.
Joan’s 94 years were filled with family, hard work, and the simple everyday moments that become life’s most treasured memories. She was incredibly proud of her family and the lives each of them built. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy carried on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those fortunate enough to have known and loved her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by the family who loved her dearly.
A visitation is planned for Tuesday morning, 10:00 a.m., October 27th at the McGilley & George Funeral Home, 12913 Grandview Road, Grandview, MO 64030. A graveside service follows at the Belton Cemetery.
