Andrew (Andy) Robert Kolibar, husband of the late Wanda Wright Kolibar, celebrated his 92nd birthday just the way he wanted—graduating on to be with his wife and family on the other side. He was born on June 7, 1934, in Leross, Saskatchewan, to Joseph Nemeth and Anna Kolibar.
Raised by immigrants during the Depression and wartime years, Andy knew hardship from the very beginning of his life. His family moved to Barnwell, Alberta, when he was a young boy. There, he worked in the sugar beet fields and often missed school because there was work to be done. As a result, he received very little formal education. When Andy lost his mother at the age of 15, he learned to make his own way in the world, working as a farm hand and developing the resilience, resourcefulness, and strong work ethic that would shape the rest of his life.
When he shared those stories of his life, he rarely focused on what he lacked. Instead, he remembered the people who helped him, the lessons he learned, and the funny things that happened along the way. He became incredibly resourceful, and it showed in everything he did. He taught himself the skills he needed to get by and enjoyed learning so that he could do what needed to be done without having to rely on others.
As a young adult, Andy worked on a survey crew which brought him to Cardston as they worked on the St Mary’s Dam. This is where he saw his bride to be walking down the street. He knew he had to meet her. They were married on March 30, 1955. Andy and Wanda started their early married life with Andy working on oil and pot ash rigs for a few years, but when he realized that was not the life he wanted for his family they moved back to Cardston.
He had the opportunity to attend mechanic school, where he excelled and graduated at the top of his class. He worked as a mechanic at Central Service before owning the Cardston Texaco Station and later opening Andy's Auto Service.
Andy was well known for his accordion playing and performed at many dance halls and weddings throughout the years as a member of the Foothills Five. He and Wanda loved to dance and attended many dances together. They also served as lead instructors for several church youth dance festivals, sharing their love of music and dancing with others.
He also had a passion for flying and had the opportunity to co-own an airplane for a few years. Family and friends loved going up flying with him. He flew many community members to various destinations.
Andy worked hard, but he also knew how to enjoy life, especially with his close friends and family. There were many boating, waterskiing and camping adventures in the summer and snow skiing in the winter. He worked hard so that his children could experience many of the things he never had while growing up.
He is survived by his five children: Bob (Karen) Kolibar, Colleen Leavitt (Khuram Fancy), Kendall (Karen) Kolibar, Karen (Gerald) Bevans, and Barb (Jesse) Wilson; 22 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
He is now reunited with his wife Wanda, his parents, and his siblings, Martin, Mike, Margaret, and Irene.
A viewing and opportunity to meet the family will be held on Friday, June 12, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Legacy Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 12:00 p.m. at the Beazer Cemetery.
Raised by immigrants during the Depression and wartime years, Andy knew hardship from the very beginning of his life. His family moved to Barnwell, Alberta, when he was a young boy. There, he worked in the sugar beet fields and often missed school because there was work to be done. As a result, he received very little formal education. When Andy lost his mother at the age of 15, he learned to make his own way in the world, working as a farm hand and developing the resilience, resourcefulness, and strong work ethic that would shape the rest of his life.
When he shared those stories of his life, he rarely focused on what he lacked. Instead, he remembered the people who helped him, the lessons he learned, and the funny things that happened along the way. He became incredibly resourceful, and it showed in everything he did. He taught himself the skills he needed to get by and enjoyed learning so that he could do what needed to be done without having to rely on others.
As a young adult, Andy worked on a survey crew which brought him to Cardston as they worked on the St Mary’s Dam. This is where he saw his bride to be walking down the street. He knew he had to meet her. They were married on March 30, 1955. Andy and Wanda started their early married life with Andy working on oil and pot ash rigs for a few years, but when he realized that was not the life he wanted for his family they moved back to Cardston.
He had the opportunity to attend mechanic school, where he excelled and graduated at the top of his class. He worked as a mechanic at Central Service before owning the Cardston Texaco Station and later opening Andy's Auto Service.
Andy was well known for his accordion playing and performed at many dance halls and weddings throughout the years as a member of the Foothills Five. He and Wanda loved to dance and attended many dances together. They also served as lead instructors for several church youth dance festivals, sharing their love of music and dancing with others.
He also had a passion for flying and had the opportunity to co-own an airplane for a few years. Family and friends loved going up flying with him. He flew many community members to various destinations.
Andy worked hard, but he also knew how to enjoy life, especially with his close friends and family. There were many boating, waterskiing and camping adventures in the summer and snow skiing in the winter. He worked hard so that his children could experience many of the things he never had while growing up.
He is survived by his five children: Bob (Karen) Kolibar, Colleen Leavitt (Khuram Fancy), Kendall (Karen) Kolibar, Karen (Gerald) Bevans, and Barb (Jesse) Wilson; 22 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
He is now reunited with his wife Wanda, his parents, and his siblings, Martin, Mike, Margaret, and Irene.
A viewing and opportunity to meet the family will be held on Friday, June 12, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Legacy Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 12:00 p.m. at the Beazer Cemetery.