Cover photo for Ruth Kolbasinski's Obituary
Ruth Kolbasinski Profile Photo

Ruth Kolbasinski

December 6, 1924 — October 20, 2019

Ruth Kolbasinski

Ruth Kolbasinski, 94, of Bryan passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2019, at Lampstand Nursing home.

Ruth was born on December 6, 1924, to the late, George and Florence James, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Ruth grew up London, England after moving there with her parents in 1927. Ruth was baptized Methodist in December 1924, and later, confirmed in Church of England in London in March 1939. As a young girl, Ruth was a kind and caring beauty and was friendly with everybody. She loved mingling with everyone and going dancing.

While living in London, Ruth met the love of her life, Stanley Toney Kolbasinski, at the Liverpool Street Station in 1944. Toney was serving in the United States Air Force, stationed in Cambridge, so they started writing each other. They were able to meet up together on a Sunday, but Toney was then sent to Belgium to serve in the war. They wrote to each other often and fell in love through their love letters. Toney had a nine day leave in March 1945, and they got engaged. After the war, she moved to the United States to start a family with Toney. Together, they raised five children, Karen Ann Minor, Barbara Lynn Schneider, Sandra Kay Tyler, Susan Barnette, and Stanley Kolbasinski Jr.

After moving to America, Ruth didn't know anyone or anything about America, but did everything she could to make the most for her family. She would always say, "I love you all, my child, I'm doing the best I can." She loved her kids uniquely, and lived to cherish every moment with them. Her husband, Toney, used to joke that she did everything "*** backwards" because she wasn't accustomed to the American ways. Ruth would call herself a smart-aleck because she was always so witty. Although she was very blunt, it would always have you laughing, because she would just tell you how it was in the most sarcastic way!
Ruth stayed involved with the community throughout her years. She was a proud member and supporter of the Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas (SPJST), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, and Keith Civic Center. Ruth and Toney also owned and operated Toney's of Carlos Bar. She loved running the bar because she loved dancing and being around people.

Ruth's memory is survived by her children, Karen Minor and husband David Minor, Sandra Tyler and husband Robert, Susan Barnette, and Stanley Kolbasinski Jr.; seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her true love and husband, Stanley Toney Kolbasinski; her daughter, Barbara Lynn Schneider; her parents, George and Florence James; her siblings, George James of London, Ron James of London, and Irene Miller of Wallasey.
Memorial contributions in Ruth`s memory may be sent to St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church and Metastatic Breast Cancer Network.

Family and friends are invited to a Visitation from 5 pm to 8 pm on October 24, 2019 at Hillier Funeral Home of College Station. A Life Celebration with a Reception following will be held at 11 am, Friday, October 25th at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the St. Stanislaus Cemetery, 639 Johnson Ave Anderson, TX 77830.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Kolbasinski, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, October 24, 2019

5:00 - 8:00 pm

Hillier Funeral Home of College Station

4080 Texas 6 Frontage Rd, College Station, TX 77845

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Life Celebration

Friday, October 25, 2019

Starts at 11:00 am

Hillier Funeral Home of College Station

4080 Texas 6 Frontage Rd, College Station, TX 77845

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Reception

Friday, October 25, 2019

Starts at 12:00 pm

Hillier Funeral Home of College Station

4080 Texas 6 Frontage Rd, College Station, TX 77845

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside

Friday, October 25, 2019

Starts at 2:30 pm

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 34

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree