Charlotte Kollars

Charlotte Kollars, age 87, of Crofton, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Arbor Care Center in Hartington, Nebraska. Visitation for the public will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota.  A private family service will be held and a celebration of her life for all her family and friends will be held at a later date.  Burial will be in the Aten Cemetery in Aten, Nebraska.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Charlotte was born July 28, 1934 in Crofton, Nebraska to Leonard and Bessie (Jackson) Douglas.  She grew up in Crofton where she graduated from Crofton High School.  On August 9, 1954, Charlotte married Verlane Kollars in Crofton.  After their marriage, they moved to the Kollars homestead in the Menominee, NE area.  They farmed for a few years and then owned and operated Kollars Trucking.  Charlotte drove the gravel truck for many years until they sold the business in 1976.  They owned V.J. Auto Sales for many years and also owned and operated South Yankton Mobile Home Court.  Verlane passed away on June 26, 2002 and Charlotte continued the operation until 2008 for a total of 40 years.  Charlotte was very active in the Crofton Senior Citizens Center where she delivered Meals on Wheels to Niobrara.  She volunteered for the Corp Discovery Visitors Center and was a lifelong member of the Yankton Moose Lodge and Women’s Auxiliary.  Charlotte loved traveling in the motorhome and visited many places throughout the United States and Canada.  Charlotte also traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and the Bahamas and spent many winters in Arizona, California, and Texas.  She enjoyed camping and fishing.  Charlotte also loved NCAA Basketball and went to many NCAA tournaments with her family. Charlotte is survived by her three children: Linda Kollars of Crofton, Leland “Butch” (Diane) Kollars of Tulsa, OK and Lorie Kollars and her partner, Vickie of Kansas City, MO; daughter-in-law, Susan Forseth of Sioux Falls, SD; seven grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Verlane; son, Lonnie Kollars; son-in-law, Elroy Brogren; grandson, Kyle; two sisters, Leone Merchen and Mavis Merchen; and one brother, Donald Douglas.  

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