Carol S. Kolars, 80, of Malcom, IA passed away January 15, 2024 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the Malcom Auditorium.

Memorials may be designated to PALS (Poweshiek Animal League Shelter) and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Carol's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Carol was born on March 25, 1943 in Montezuma, IA to William J. and Ella Francis (Spading) Graham. She was one of eleven siblings. She was raised in Montezuma, and moved with her family to Malcom, IA when she was in the 4th grade. Carol was a part of the first class to graduate from BGM in 1961.

On August 20, 1962 Carol was united in marriage to Marvin Kolars at St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell. To this union the couple had three children, Jeff, Marty and Angela.

Carol began her working career as a bookkeeper for Marvin at Kolars Garage, was an Avon lady, sorted corn for Heineke Seed Co., and Delong's Sportswear from 1983 to 2009. She also was a member of the Malcom Fire Department Women's Auxiliary for many years.

Carol loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending their events. To her grandchildren she was known as "Grandma Piggy." She was known for her favorite snacks, Starry soda and Peanut butter M&M's, and her favorite shows, QVC, the Bold and the Beautiful, and Family Feud. She was also known for making popcorn balls for Halloween. Carol enjoyed gardening, flowers, lawn mowing, bowling, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and country music. Her favorite artists were Alan Jackson and Elvis Presley. Carol also loved her cat, Gracin.

She is survived by her husband, Marvin Kolars of Malcom, IA; her children, Jeff Kolars of Malcom, IA, Marty (Kim) Kolars of Malcom, IA, and Angela (Ryan) Rudd of Brooklyn, IA; her grandchildren Taylor Kolars of Scottsdale, AZ, Kelsey (Eric) Hodowanic of Chippawa Falls, WI, Gavin (Jessica) Kolars of Malcom, IA, Cassandra (Ben) Ryder of Bloomfield, IA, Collin Kolars of Malcom, IA, Sydney Rudd of Des Moines, IA, and Hunter Rudd of Star, Idaho; her great grandchildren, Axel, Asher and Arlie Ryder, Blake, Hazel and Ezlynn Hodowanic, and Nash Kolars; her siblings, Ruth Beck of Grinnell, IA, Roberta (Douglas) See of Grinnell, IA, James (Annis) Graham of San Antonio, TX, Michael (Markijean) Graham of Grinnell, IA, and Nancy (David) Weaver of Grinnell, IA; her sisters-in-law, Mildred Graham of El Toro, CA, and Evelyn Graham of San Antonio, TX; and her cat, Gracin.

She is predeceased by her parents; and her siblings, Thomas Graham, Barbara Smith, John Graham, William Graham and Beatrice Martin.