Frank KOLLER

Frank Raymond Koller was born on July 28, 1921 in Chicago to Frank Koller and Rose Koller (Reiger) and died on May 15, 2011 in Marshfield after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Betty Jane Koller (Leasure), nieces Lenore Dollries (Smith), Cynthia Burns, Barbara Weingarden (Burns) and grand niece Alison Weingarden. Frank and Betty had one son Frank Berkley Koller who passed on November 6, 1978. Frank also survived 2 sisters Rose Smith and Rae Meyer. Frank and Betty met in grade school in Chicago and both graduated from Hirsh High School in 1941. Frank joined the Navy on September 19, 1942. Betty followed him to California where they eloped on August 21, 1943 before he set off for the South Pacific. Frank was a radio operator during the war and was honorably discharged in 1945. After his discharge Frank worked with Betty’s family on the cranberry marshes in the Rapids where he got his interest in the cranberry business. In 1946 the Kollers moved up to Manitowish Waters to start their own cranberry business. Of the 5 original growers in the area Frank was the last survivor. In addition to the Manitowish Waters marsh, Frank also had 2 other marshes at one time – Fifield and Oneida. Frank joined the Mason’s in 1955 and was ordained to the 33rd degree in 2010. Frank was also a Shriner and Lions club member. Frank was a charter member of the Manitowish Waters Community Church and the local fire department. Frank was an avid car and antique collector and took great joy in giving tours of his collections. He also exhibited his cars in the local parades. He was also an avid wild life enthusiast from planting trees, feeding birds to taking in stray dogs. Frank and Betty’s philanthropy have been far reaching including the building and maintenance of the Manitowish Waters Community Church Carillon and Tower and the Veteran’s Memorial in Pine Lawn Cemetery and wholly providing for the Frank B Koller Library. They started the Koller Behavior Center in Minocqua. They started Scholarships at the University of Wisconsin for Cranberry Growing and Lakeland and Mercer High Schools for Vocational students. They purchased the land for the Manitowish Waters Town Park on Rest Lake and are supporters of the Masonic Learning Center for Dyslexia, the Rawhide Ranch and the Marshfield Clinic, Lawton Center and Laird Center. Their latest endeavor is a deferred donation to the Marshfield Clinic to complete the second Laird Center for research. When Frank saw a need, he pursued supporting that need. Funeral services will be on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 11 AM in the Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 9 – 11 AM at the church on Saturday. Burial will follow at Pinelawn Cemetery with Military honors. A Masonic Service will be held on Friday May 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM at the Bolger Funeral Home-Woodruff Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Frank Koller Library in Manitowish Waters or charity of donor’s choice.

Frank KOLLER

July 28, 1921 - May 15, 2011