Eleanor Marie “Ellie” Kolar
Eleanor Marie “Ellie” Kolar, of Fort Myers, passed away August 4, 2026, at age 92. Born December 31, 1933, in Batavia, Illinois, she and her husband, Tom, were married nearly 74 years.
In 1959, Ellie and Tom traveled down the Mississippi River in their cabin cruiser to become among Cape Coral’s first settlers. Tom began at Gulf American Land Corporation as a security guard and rose to Vice President of Marketing and Promotions. Ellie helped open a bait-and-tackle shop while raising their children, including their son, the first boy born in Cape Coral. She was a devoted homemaker and Girl Scout leader.
In 1969 the couple realized their dream of owning the Eventide Motel on Fort Myers Beach. They later purchased and operated the Lighthouse Island Resort before selling it to their son, Tom, and his wife, Melinda. Ellie and Tom enjoyed boating, bowling, the Moose Club, the yacht club, and extensive world travel.
Their Fort Myers Beach home was destroyed by Hurricane Ian; they later lived at Cypress Cove until Tom’s passing in March 2026.
Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas James Kolar; parents Clarence and Esther Roessler; sister Carol Nelson; brother Kelly Roessler; and granddaughter Paris Kolar. She is survived by her children Beverly (Steve) Chesnut, Sandy Stilwell Youngquist (Tim), and Tom (Melinda) Kolar; eight grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Friday, August 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907.