Betty J. Koller

Betty Jane Koller was born on Oct. 15, 1921, in Birchwood Wisconsin to Berkley and Anna (Wise) Leasure. Betty and her family moved to Chicago shortly after her birth. In Chicago, she met Frank Koller while attending grade school and high school together. Frank enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in California. Betty traveled to see him before he left for overseas. On August 21, 1943, they eloped while she was visiting. Frank and Betty were married 67 years. After Frank’s discharge from the Navy in 1945, they moved to Wausau, WI where Frank worked for a radio station.

In 1946, Betty and Frank moved to Manitowish Waters to start their cranberry business. They were one of 5 families who cleared the land and started the cranberry business from scratch. In 1947, their son Frank Berkley Koller was born. Betty worked along with Frank in the early days clearing the land, planting the vines, and harvesting the cranberries. During their lifetime the Kollers had cranberry bogs in Manitowish Waters, Fifield, and Oneida counties. After the harvest, Betty and Frank traveled extensively throughout the world, a joy that Betty continued after Frank’s death.

Once the business was well established, Betty was able to leave the daily operations. Betty obtained her Real Estate Brokers license in 1971 at the age of 50 and started her successful Koller Realty Company. Throughout the years of selling real estate, Betty specialized in lakefront property and was proud of the fact that she sold many properties on a repeat basis because of her service to the original buyer. When Betty sold property she was not only your realtor; she became your friend. When it was time to sell, you always went back to Betty for her assistance.

As Betty became more successful, she turned to her real passion philanthropy. Over the years Betty and Frank built the Frank B. Koller Memorial Library, donated the Frank B. Koller Memorial Park and the Veterans Memorial at Pine Lawn Cemetery. In addition, they have been generous donors locally to many individuals, service clubs, and charitable organizations. Regionally many organizations have benefited from their generosity including the Frank B. Koller Outpatient Mental Health Center at Howard Young Hospital, the Marshfield Medical Research Foundation, Rawhide Inc., the Salvation Army, the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children and the 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Centers for Children Inc.

Betty was proceeded in death by her parents, Berkley and Anna Leasure, her husband Frank, her son Frank, and her sister Evelyn. She is survived by her nieces Barbara Jo (Marshall) Weingarden of Easton MD, Cindy Ann Burns of North Attleboro, MA, Lenore Dollries of Pomona, CA, and great-niece Alison Elizabeth Weingarden (Paolo Ramezzana) of Washington, DC.

The family would like to thank Ministry Home Care Hospice Services of Woodruff, and Loving Touch Home Care of Rhinelander, for their care while Betty has been in Hospice. A very special thanks go to Dawn Lentz and Carol Swearingen for their many years of loving care.

Services will be held November 11, 2017 at Mercer United Methodist Church and officiated by Rev. Ken Moberg . Visitation will be at 11:00 am and service at 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Frank B. Koller Memorial Library, Manitowish Waters, WI or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES OF WOODRUFF, WI IS SERVING THE FAMILY.