Elizabeth Ann Kolander

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Silah Kolander went home to be with Our Lord on January 24, 2025. She was born to her parents John and Esther Silah in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on October 31, 1930. Betty was the sixth of eight children, and was born on her parents' 19th wedding anniversary. Her beloved hometown of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is where she met her future husband, Allen, during their high school days at St. Mary Springs Academy. They married 10 years later and enjoyed 54 years as best friends. She would often refer to Allen as 'my friend.' After their marriage, they moved often during the first few years due to Allen's career with the Navy and Air Force Strike Fighter Aircraft programs. They settled in Hanford in 1967, after living in Southern Calif, Hawaii and Kansas.
Over the years Betty and Allen and the kids would visit Wisconsin during summers and an occasional Christmas. These visits were the highlight of the year and a real chance to reconnect with the relatives which were massive in number. Family was always important to both Betty and Allen and they never missed a chance to attend a family event. Even now, her children and grandchildren visit the family Wisconsin often and consider it their second home. Many holidays and special occasions were spent in San Jose with the Kolander Clan as well. The Kolander brothers often visited each other with their families and the cousins are all very close and dear. This is an example of how Betty and Allen instilled a love of family in their children, as they never missed an opportunity to be together.
Betty loved all the holidays, big and small. She was a master at home decorating and entertaining. She loved her job at Nateva's gift shop and we think she got that job so she could get a discount on all that china she had. Every holiday was a feast for the eyes and taste buds, and she always had the perfect dish to display her food and always set a perfect table. Her birthday was on Halloween 'with all the other witches,' she always loved to say. She would often make the trick-or-treaters sing 'Happy Birthday' to her before she passed out a treat. The Christmas season was her favorite time of year, and her decorations were in every corner of the house. As her children were growing up, Betty began a tradition of 'open house at the Kolander home' each Christmas Day. Since we had no family nearby, Betty wanted a full house, and she got it. There was always food and drink flowing at all hours on Christmas Day. As her children got older and had their own family Christmases, Betty and Allen held their legendary Christmas parties at their house. Summers were also lots of fun, as much time was spent in the pool with family, neighbors and friends. The cul-de-sac on Woodridge Way was 'party central.' All the neighbors were such good friends, and they would go from house to house to share swimming pools, bbqs, cocktails and friendships like no one else. Those friendships and memories of those days are instilled in our brains, as we smile at the 'good ole days on Woodridge Way.'
Both Betty and Allen absolutely cherished time spent with their children and grandchildren. They rarely missed grammar school and high school sports events for their kids, and were quick to volunteer at school when needed. Betty was a very active, giving member of the community. It seemed that Betty and Allen knew everyone in town. Her decades of service included the Kings Guild for Valley Children's Hospital, Kings County Grand Jury, St. Brigid's Church; Hanford Garden Club; China Alley Preservation Society; and in the gift shop at Sacred Heart Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Allen Edward Kolander. Her brothers and sisters and their spouses: Enos Silah of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Hilda (Al) Seroogy of De Pere, Wisconsin; Richard/Dick (Helen and later Mary Lou) of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Elaine (Carl) Kuether of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Mitchell Silah (Betty) of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Darlene/Dede Silah of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and Capt. (USN) Robert (Kathy) Silah of Tampa, Florida. She was also preceded by her in- laws: Allen's brothers and their wives: John and Mary Kolander and Jim and Mary Jane Kolander all of San Jose, California. Coincidentally, the Kolander brothers all married girls they met at St. Mary Springs, in high school, so everyone was like family even before they were related.
Betty is survived by her children, Lisa Kolander Donkin and Kelly (Charlotte) Kolander. Her grandchildren: Michelle Kolander, Sarah (Kyle) Hayter, Jennifer Kolander, Ian Donkin, Hannah Donkin, Molly Kolander and Thomas Kolander. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Kathy Silah and many cousins and nieces and nephews, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews, whom were all loved immensely. Her many Godchildren held a special place in her heart, as Aunt Betty always made each one feel special. She always remembered every birthday and any special occasion throughout their lives.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 24, at 12:30 pm at Saint Bridget's Catholic Church, with a cemetery service at Calvary Cemetery immediately following. There will be a reception at The Remington Assisted Living Home at 2727 N. 11th Avenue, where Betty lived, after the services. The family asks that donations be made to Valley Children's Hospital in Betty's name.
The family would like to thank The Remington for the loving care given to Betty in her last years, especially to her caregivers, Denise and Candi. During the past few years, her memory had faded and the usual struggles with life occurred, but Betty continued to display her strong and sassy spirit, and witty come-backs, all with a smile, nonetheless. We could always bring a smile or good laugh to her when we would talk about family and friends and 'the good ole days.'
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