Cordell J. “Corky” Kolander, age 82, of Rural Lakefield, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Colonial Manor in Lakefield.
Corky was born on February 26, 1941, to Ernest and Ruth Marie (Ruthenbeck) Kolander in Heron Lake Township, where he lived all his life. Corky was united in marriage to Theresa (Pavelko) Kolander on December 26, 1961. Together they raised two children, Lisa and Allen.
Corky was a farmer throughout his entire life and loved every bit of it. He was fortunate enough to farm alongside his son, Allen, until his passing on June 19, 2010. Corky deeply loved his family, and treasured the time that he was able to spend with them. He enjoyed hunting for Native American artifacts, creating stained glass pieces, and collecting knives and guns.
He was a director at Federated REA for 20 years and was also a director for the Jackson County Co-Op and Jackson County Shipping Association. At his church, Saint Peter’s Lutheran, he was an elder, a member of the men’s club, and on the finance committee.
Corky will forever be remembered by his loving wife, Theresa; daughter, Lisa (Jim) Morse; special family, Dawn, Ean, and Erin Hohenstein; brother, Oliver Kolander; Theresa’s siblings, Bernard (Charlene) Pavelko, Eugene (Deb) Pavelko, Donna Dunse, Sally Leavell, Rita Pavelko Altman, and Doris Pavelko; sister-in-law, Linda Pavelko; and many other relatives and friends.
Corky was preceded in death by his son, Allen Kolander; parents, Ernest and Ruth; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ernest and Dorothy Pavelko; and brothers, Merle (Marian) Kolander and Leland (Maria) Kolander; brothers-in-law, Daniel Pavelko, David Pavelko, and James Dunse.
Corky’s family would like to thank the staff at Colonial Manor and Moment’s Hospice for their wonderful care, as well as how they treated him like family of their own during his time with them.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
A Celebration of Life Service for Cordell Kolander, of Rural Lakefield, will be held Friday, August 25, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Lakefield, Minnesota with Pastor Dale Hedstrom officiating. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery following the service.
A time of visitation and gathering will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, at Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Lakefield, Minnesota.
Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Condolences and memories of Cordell may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.
Blessed be the memory of Cordell “Corky” Kolander.
