Barbara Koeller's Obituary
Barbara J. Koeller, 90, died on April 25, 2015 at Greenfield Senior Living in Memphis, TN after a long illness. She was born in Breckenridge, MN on March 14, 1925, to Jeanne Wilson and August L. Dietrich. She spent her childhood in Milwaukee, WI and Marion, WI. She was the widow of Roy G. Koeller to whom she was married for 63 years. They raised four children, a daughter and three sons as a military family. Following Mr. Koeller’s retirement from the U.S. Navy, the family moved to Memphis in 1958. They were members of Christ the King Lutheran Church and the Military Order of World Wars, Memphis Chapter. She obtained a GED diploma and graduated from Memphis State University with a B.A. degree in library science, and used her researching skills in the pursuit of genealogy. It satisfied her keen interest in historical events. She was a member of the Chickasaw Bluff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and assisted many prospective members with researching their ancestry for membership, and she worked as a docent for Mallory Neely House. She was a member of the West Tennessee Historical Society. She enjoyed traveling and was proud to have attended 23 Elderhostel (Road Scholar) seminars from coast to coast before health issues intervened. She is survived by her children, Kay Myers of Burke, VA, Dr. Royal Koeller (Greer) of Johnstown, PA, Gary Koeller (Marilyn) of San Antonio, TX, and Dr. Kelly Koeller (Susan) of Rochester, MN. She is survived by 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews and second cousins. Services will be at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5295 Park Avenue on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. preceded by visitation from 10-11 a.m. Burial will be private at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice or Methodist Hospice Residence or charity of choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall.”
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Barbara?
Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Barbara you’ll never forget.
How did Barbara make you smile?