David B. Koller, 86, New England, died Friday, September 15, 2023 at CHI St. Alexius, Dickinson. David’s funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Friday, September 22, 2023 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Pastor Janel Kolar officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Anton Ulijohn Post 66 Honor Guard. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, New England.  Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, at Ladbury Funeral Service, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

David B. Koller was born on December 22, 1936 on the family farm northeast of New England. He is the son of Chester H. Koller and Cornelia (Nasset) Koller. David was educated at a country school and attended New England High School.

David worked on the family farm with his father, until he decided to go to work as an automotive mechanic. During this time he met the love of his life and David and Mary Gartner were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England on June 15, 1955. David and Mary made their home in Dickinson for many years until David had an opportunity to work in a Ford Dealership near Portland, Oregon. Later moving to Dickinson where they spent the next 30 years living there.

David served his country in the United States Army from 1961-1963 as a Track Vehicle Mechanic. He was a proud member of the American Legion, Post 66, New England.

David made a nice career during his life as an automotive mechanic. He was employed at Parkway Ford in Dickinson for a number of years when the opportunity came along for him to move up to the Service Manager for the Ford dealership. He later opened up his own repair shop and named it Dave’s Auto and Truck in Dickinson. David and Mary retired and bought a house in New England in 2004.

David had a passion for helping others. He enjoyed working on the family farm, running the John Deere combine every weekend during harvest. Some years he took vacation time to help with the harvest. He enjoyed hunting deer, antelope and pheasants with his family and buddies. David was a member of the New England Lions Club and volunteered himself generously for all the service that the Lions Club was doing. Mary and David both were instrumental in the creation of the New England Community Grocery Store. David volunteered himself for grocery deliveries and anything that was needed to help keep the store running smoothly.

David loved his family and often emphasized to his nieces and nephews that Ford cars and trucks were the best!

David is survived by his sister, Jeanette Finley, Vancouver, WA; nieces and nephews, Mark (Karen) Koller, New England, Lynette (Leon) Hewson, Amidon, Dan (Barbara) Koller, Lake Elmo, MN, Steffan (Barbara) Anderson, Vancouver, Nicole (Brad) Anderson, Benton City, WA, Jon (Melissa) Filkowski, Benton City, Valerie (Hugh) McDetmott, Madison, WI, and Colleen Robinson, Madison; sisters-in-law, Kathy Gartner, Dickinson and Carol Robinson, Madison; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, June 26, 2009; his parents; brother, Chester E. Koller; and brother-in-law, Jack Finley; sister-in-law, Dorothy Filkowsky.