Mary K. Koller, 75, New England died Friday, June 26, 2009 at her home. Mary’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England with Fr. Basil Atwell, OSB as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Victor Dvorak presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Mary K. Gartner was born August 23, 1933 on the family farm five miles north of New England, the daughter of William and Katherine (Gyolai) Gartner. She was raised and educated in New England, graduating from New England St. Mary’s in 1951, and that summer attended a course to receive her teaching certificate.
Mary married David Koller on June 15, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They lived in Portland, Ore. for a period of time prior to moving to Dickinson where they spent the next 30 years before making their home in New England in 2004.
Mary began as a teacher in a country school, prior to beginning a long career as a bookkeeper and accountant for a variety businesses, such as, Cloverdale, Gaffaney’s Floral, and with her husbands business. She had also been a part owner of the NAPA store in Dickinson.
Mary enjoyed working on genealogy, crocheting, going to and also watching motor races. She was instrumental in setting up the St. Mary’s Memorabilia room, and also helping found the New England Grocery Store.
Mary is survived by her husband David; her mother, Katherine Gartner, New England; two sisters, Caroline Robinson, New England, and Kathy Gartner, Aurora, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her dad, William; and her sister, Dorothy Filkowski.
