Wesley Kolb Obituary

Age 86 of West St. Paul
Passed away June 30, 2025
Preceded in death by parents, George and Pearl; and brothers, George Jr. and Bob.
Survived by loving wife of 60 years, Darla; beloved daughters, Kristin (Tony) Kolb, and Delise (Mike) Conroy; brothers, Paul, John (Judi), and Jim (Janet); sisters, Barbara, and Becky (Dave); sisters-in-law, Shannon Duffy, and Carole Kolb; many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.
Entombment at the Augustana Lutheran Church Columbaria.
Wes was born on March 13, 1939, on the East side of St. Paul, Minnesota, as the fifth of eight siblings. Growing up in a bustling household, he developed a love for the outdoors, particularly fishing. One of his favorite spots to fish was Interstate Park, where he would join his father and grandfather at a special location near a pine tree and rock wall. They would tie their boat to the tree and fish for crappies in the deep waters. Wes also enjoyed fishing and camping with the Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts at O'Brien State Park-before it officially became a park-where he and his friends cooked their catch on a "Buddy Burner."
Wes graduated from Harding High School and furthered his education at Hamline University and Brown Institute. In December 1961, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving until December 1963. His time in the military coincided with significant historical events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the construction of the Berlin Wall, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the tensions of the Cold War. Of these, he found the Cuban Missile Crisis to be the most memorable and impactful.
In July 1965, Wes married Darla, and the couple settled in West St. Paul, where they would live for the rest of their lives. Together, they raised two daughters, Kristin, born in December 1968, and Delise, born in May 1972. Wes was a devoted father who cherished his family and always prioritized being present for his girls.
Known for his practicality and intelligence, Wes was an early adopter of technology. He recognized the potential of computers before they became mainstream and pursued opportunities to learn about them when they were still massive, room-sized machines. This foresight led to a successful career in technology at Control Data and Seagate, where he thrived as an innovator and problem solver.
Outside of work, Wes enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including gardening, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and traveling. He explored the world both for business and pleasure, taking his family on memorable vacations to destinations like Disney World, Mexico, and a Caribbean cruise. Summers were often spent fishing at Lake Miltona in Alexandria or hiking in Grand Marais. One of his favorite trips was an Eastern European cruise on the Danube River with Darla and his sister and brother-in-law.
Wes had a great sense of humor and loved teasing, telling jokes, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends at Realife. From a young age, Wes demonstrated a strong work ethic and financial savviness. As a teenager, he worked hard to save money for things like bicycles and even purchased his first motorcycle at age 14. In a humorous twist, he used a license plate from a Wheaties cereal box, hoping it would pass as real. It didn't, but the story became a cherished memory.
In his later years, Wes faced challenges with congestive heart failure. Despite his struggles, he remained determined to spend as much time as possible with his family. After a lengthy hospital stay, he entered hospice care at home, surrounded by his loved ones. Though his time in hospice was brief-just 3.5 days, he passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, much sooner than anyone expected.
Wes will be deeply missed and fondly remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend, as well as a hardworking and adventurous spirit who lived life to the fullest.
To send flowers to the family of Wesley G. "Wes" Kolb, please visit our floral store.