Chester Koller, 82, New England, died Monday, December 21, 2015 at the Richardton Health Center. Chester’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Rev. Janel Kolar officiating. Interment will follow at the New England Cemetery, with military honors provided by the New England American Legion Anton Ulijohn Post 66. Visitation will be on Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Chester Edward Koller was born June 15, 1933, the son of Chester H. and Cornelia (Nasset) Koller, in Clark Township, Hettinger County. He attended New England Public High School, graduating in 1951. Chester then attended NDSU, and while there, enrolled in the ROTC program. He joined the United States Air Force and earned his wings on February 23, 1956, stationed at Williams Air Force Base, part of the 3525th Combat Crew Training Wing. Following his honorable discharge, he remained with the Air Force Reserves for many years.
Chester married Jeanette Trott in Kinston, N.C., in March 1956. Chester was an Air Force pilot trainer, flying T-33 planes stationed in Laredo, Texas, where their son, Mark, and daughter, Lynette were born. They moved back to North Dakota to take over the family farm where they raised their children, along with their new son, Daniel. He later remarried and had a daughter, Connie. Chester became involved with other business opportunities; including drilling for oil in Wyoming, and mining sulfur in Nevada. He had a trucking business and eventually moved to Nevada where he spent many years on an irrigated alfalfa farm, eventually returning to New England where he retired.
He enjoyed farming, and was often one of the first in his area to try new innovations. He also enjoyed traveling with his family and visiting with relatives and friends, and playing chess.
Chester is survived by his children, Mark (Karen), New England, Lynette (Leon) Hewson, Amidon, Dan (Barb), Lake Elmo, Minn., and Connie, Washburn, Wisc.; three step-children, Penny Seeber, Two Harbors, Minn., Christine Kempffer, Two Harbors, Minn., and Lisa Buckmister, Lakeville, Minn.; his brother, David Koller, New England; sister, Jeanette Finley, Vancouver, Wash.; grandchildren, Jackie (Adam) Ross, Kristin (Tony) Sosinski, David Molitor, Kelly Molitor, Casey Molitor, and Abby Koller; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Mary Koller; and brother-in-law, Jack Finley.
