Faye Koller

SHAKOPEE — Faye Lavonne Koller, 88, of Shakopee, passed away surrounded by the love of her children on Tuesday, Aug.5, 2025.

The family will receive guests beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, with a Catholic prayer service to follow at 6:30 p.m., at McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, 1220 3rd Ave. E., Shakopee. Following the service, a reception will be held at Dangerfield’s in Shakopee.

Faye was born March 17, 1937, in St. Paul. Daughter of Carl Adolph and Clara Amanda (O’Nell) Nelson. She was raised in St. Paul and graduated from Monroe High School, class of 1955. Following graduation she married Gary Freseman. Their union was blessed with three children, Richard, Scott, and Terrie. After divorce, Faye and her children lived in St. Paul, and she went to work for 3M as an Administrative Assistant in the International Division.

In 1969 she met farmer Gilbert Michael Koller at a singles dance in St. Paul. They had their first date at the Shakopee House (now Dangerfields,) and were later married on July 14, 1970. Faye and Gil resided and farmed in Lamberton. This union was blessed with three more children, Mary, Paul, and Kristin. Faye enjoyed being a homemaker and entertaining family and friends. She played so much bingo at Jackpot Junction they hired her as an employee. Faye played the organ at St. Joes in Lamberton for over 40 years. She enjoyed weekly Coffee Party and bridge parties with friends. In 2001, Faye and Gil relocated to Shakopee to be closer to family, where she enjoyed time spent in her garden, baking with her grandkids, and making cookies for the Favillas. Family meant everything to Faye.

Faye is survived by her children, Richard (Wyne) Freseman of Shakopee, Scott Freseman of Oak Harbor WA, Terrie Owens of Oak Harbor WA, Mary Smith of Las Vegas NV, Paul Koller of Maple Grove, and Kristin Lamon of Shakopee; grandchildren, Rowena Rogers, Madeline Freseman, Nicholas Owens, Elizabeth Dean, Thomas Smith, and Bennett, Sloane, and Veronica Lamon; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gil Koller, her parents Clara and Carl Nelson, brother Wayne Nelson, sister Beverly Favilla, grandson Christopher Owens, and daughter-in-law Terry Freseman.