SINSINAWA — Sr. Francesca “Fran” Koller, OP, died Jan. 19, 2021, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Jan. 28, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Fran made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1952, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1955. She taught for 24 years and served as pastoral minister for 16 years, liturgist for 18 years, chaplain for 10 years, and assistant prioress for four years. The people of Anchorage, Ala., said in an award presentation, “In every situation, Sister Fran radiates warmth and honesty.” She loved adventures, was a talented singer and created watercolor paintings. Sister Fran served in Illinois, Minnesota, South Carolina, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee, and Alaska, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Fran served as liturgist and pastoral minister at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, 2000-2006, and as volunteer at St. Dennis Parish, Madison, 2010-2015.
Sister Fran was born Aug. 10, 1931, in Appleton, Wis., the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Pimishern) Koller. Her parents; two sisters, Ann Farrell and Elizabeth Pearce; and six brothers, Frank Koller, Joseph Koller Jr., Otto Koller, Norbert Koller, Walter Koller and Albert Koller, preceded her in death. She is survived by a sister, Janet Nelson; a brother, Emil Koller; nieces; nephews; and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 68 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Fran are available online atwww.sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.