Ivan Kozar, Sr., 77, of Wamego, passed away Sunday, September 3rd, after a short illness, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Manhattan.
Ivan was born in Čakovec, Croatia on June 20, 1946, the son of the late Katarina and Martin Kozar. On October 5, 1969, he was united in marriage to Ksenija Kozar, in Preko, Croatia, who preceded him in death on June 16, 1998. He had an Engineering degree from Čakovec, Croatia. Ivan and Ksenija Sontag Kozarc came to the United States in 1971 and lived in New York for several years.
In 1978 they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where Ivan dedicated his working years to D&R Construction. He was a former member of the choir at Seven Dolors Catholic Church and attended St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan.
Ivan was an avid reader and was teaching his grandchildren Croatian.Ivan is survived by four children, Fani (Andy) Wefald, of Manhattan; Ivan (Pat ) Kozar, Jr., of Thailand; David (Kari) Kozar, of Australia; Michelle (Jeff) Kirk, of Wamego; grandchildren, Kayla Thomas, Carson Dieker, Emma Dieker, Kaeli Wefald, Cassie Wefald; Emerson Kirk, Declan Kirk, Colten Kirk.
A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September, 10th at Irvin-Parkview funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the Parish Center at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan. Burial will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery, in Manhattan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wamego Public Library, Wamego, KS. To leave a condolence, visit the funeral home website; www.irvinparkview.com