Jeanne Reince Koller

Jeanne Reince Koller, age 94 of Eagan, formerly of Minnetonka and Nisswa, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Survived by children Dr. Mark (Therese), Deephaven, Dr. Patrick (Dr. Tammy Chiesa), Eagan, Dr. Brian (Nancy), Apple Valley, Dr. John, Kodiak, AK, Dr. Amy (Dr. John) Veale, Boston, MA, and Pamela (Marshall) Erickson, Eagan; daughter-in-law Kristin Reno Koller, Atchison, KS; grandchildren Kristin (Joseph) Lund, Sarah (Ryan) Schuh, Dr. Michael (Dr. Caitlin), Dr. Elizabeth, Dr. Emily (Cole Boughner), Lauren, Dr. Sara (Shea) Dunbar, Andrew (Andria Mattlin), Dr. Steven (fiancée Debra Nguyen), Noah, Gianna Jeannellynn, Cole, John Veale, Jr. (fiancée Elyssa Carlson), Kathleen (Mark) Duffin, Dr. Matthew Veale, Nicholas Veale, Eva Erickson, and Jenna Erickson; 11 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Joan Koller, Albuquerque, NM, and many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her loving husband of 65 years, Dr. Robert (Bob) L. Koller; parents Fred and Mary (Looze) Reince; siblings Mary Frances (Howard) Kaye, Monica (Dr. John) LeFevre, James (Helen Christian) Reince; parents-in-law Dr. Louis and Esther (Bauman) Koller; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Donna Marie Koller; John Koller, and Joan (Floyd) Kongsvik.

Born in Green Bay, WI, on August 21, 1931, Jeanne attended Cathedral Grade School, St. Joseph’s Academy and Green Bay East High School, graduating in 1949. Jeanne was always passionate about music and a gifted musician, her talents stemming from growing up in a musical family led by her father, Fred, in the Reince Family Orchestra. She went on to study Elementary Education, Music, and French, graduating from the College of St. Theresa, Winona, MN, in 1953. She taught second grade in Winona Public Schools. During this time, Jeanne was crowned Miss Snowflake in the Winona Winter Carnival and eventually Miss Minnesota in 1954, winning the Most Talented award by singing Faust’s “The Jewel Song.” She competed in the Miss America Pageant in 1955. She married Bob in 1955, and they moved to Minneapolis to start their family.

Jeanne continued her music career singing with the Plymouth Congregational Church Choir conducted by Philip Brunelle and the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale, was active in producing musicals and singing in the choir at Most Holy Trinity Church & School. She was fiercely proud of her Belgian heritage, love of Green Bay, and her Reince family cottage in Dykesville. Jeanne’s other favorite activities and interests included downhill skiing, biking the Paul Bunyan Trail with Bob, traveling, genealogy research, quilting, crocheting, knitting, gardening, and Green Bay Packer football. Jeanne is fondly remembered for her bright smile, easy-going personality, and creating an atmosphere of making others feel special. Above all, as a devout Catholic, Jeanne’s faith guided her life, passions, and love of family.

The Koller family thanks The Commons on Marice staff, Bluestone Physician Services, and Minnesota Hospice with gratitude for their loving and compassionate care.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm Friday, November 20th at Gearty-Delmore Park Funeral Chapel, 3960 Wooddale Ave S., St. Louis Park. Mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday, November 21st at 11 am at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Edina, (livestream at olgparish.org) with visitation one hour prior to Mass. Luncheon after Mass at Interlachen Country Club, Edina, followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in memory of Jeanne Koller and in support of her grandson John Veale Jr to the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/JeanneKoller or to The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion at https://championshrine.org.