"I am terribly remiss in that I didn't keep in better contact with Anne. I feel as deeply about her as I do any of my own sisters. She knew. We had a bond. My time in Madison was lots of fun for me and she was a large part of that. "
In loving memory of
Anne M. Koller
September 17, 1954 - September 9, 2017
MADISON
Anne Koller age 62 passed away at Agrace Hospice on Saturday September 9, 2017. She was born September 17, 1954 to Norbert and Joyce Koller.
Anne graduated from Edgewood High School in 1972. She attended school at St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center and earned a degree in Radiologic Technology. Anne's education led her to work in this field her whole life. She was working for Dean Clinic at the time of her death.
Anne always loved traveling. When she was younger she took a year off from work to travel around the world. She continued her travels throughout her life forming many friends and memories. She was always thinking where can I go next!
She loved going to Girl Scout camp every year with her friends she grew up with. Even as adults they always enjoyed getting together for a fun week. She enjoyed going to dinner, movies and spending time with her friends.
The one thing that truly enriched Anne's life were her friends. She always considered them as family. She was surrounded by a group of people that supported her through good times and tuff times. This meant the world to her.
In her 40's Anne had her first battle with breast cancer. She said I can beat this and she did. This made her want to get involved in support groups to help other survivors. Bosom Buddies and Susan G. Komen race for the cure were very important to her. Then came her second battle - ovarian cancer. She said I can beat this. She put up a vigilant fight to her last breath.
She is survived by her sisters, Elizabeth Koller, Patricia Koller, Mary (Doug) Koller-Sperle and Joan (Dennis) Koller-Pine.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Thank you to the Dean Medical Center - Oncology at John Q Hammons Drive. Dr. Michael Frontiera and all the chemo nurses. Thank you to ST. Mary's Hospital and Agrace Hospice for the care given to Anne.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2017 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler presiding. A visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison and on Friday at church one hour prior to Mass. Burial will be in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Susan G. Komen: Southern Region, Edgewood High School/ Tuition Assistance and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Please share your memories of Anne.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434
Tributes
"Terrible news. We knew Anne from our annual visits to R.S.N.A. where she joined us in the European contingent. Chicago will not be the same again. Goodnight Anne, and God Bless."
"My dear friend Anne passed away Saturday. We hadn't kept up much in the years since we first met, but she will always hold a special place in my heart. She was a friend at a time when I really needed one and she always encouraged me with my spiritual and creative work. The first Angel consultation I did was for her. She sat for a number of portraits I did and when I decided to focus on my music, she bought me a Bob Dylan songbook which I still have...all dog-eared and with the cover missing. For my birthday one year, she took me to see Bob during his born again phase...because my astrologer had told me a few days before, I was going to be 'born again' on my birthday. She had a dream to travel around the world, and worked three jobs and collected aluminum soda cans for extra cash to fund her trip. I was temporarily living with her during this phase while I was going through a divorce and saw her many times stop to collect a stray soda can. Her storage unit was filled with bags of these cans! She did end up traveling around the world solo. Her adventures were numerous! She was kidnapped in Morocco and was saved by a Frenchman with a vey expensive watch. (I always told her she had lots of Angels!). She fell in love and had her heart broken in New Zealand and met Boz Skaggs in Kathmandu, who offered her a job as his cook in Los Angeles. But it seemed her favorite place in the world was Ireland, and she would regularly return to attend a wedding or just to visit. I called her recently and she said her cancer had come back. I couldn't believe it...she seemed so full of life. So here's to Anne! May she find peace, love and light out there in another universe, populated with leprechauns and fairies and all things great and good!???"
"Anne and I went through X-ray training together, We worked part time in the office together to have some spending money. We spent a lot of it together (I wont go into details). After I moved to Oregon she and a friend came out to visit. We planned a camping trip and remembered everything but the tent poles. As with everything else with Anne we had a great time anyway...(until it started to rain). I will miss you Anne but I still have all those memories>"
"I met Anne in 1998; she immediately welcomed me into her sub group of Bosom Buddies and we became friends. She was a fighter and I thought if anyone can beat this cancer sh*t, it would be Anne so I am horribly sadden and heartbroken. I hope @KomenWisconsin will consider recognizing her for her spirited, annual volunteering, donating & general support of the Race for the Cure/Madison. The world has lost such a generous, open, straight-forward, selfless, funny, fun-loving person and loyal friend who loved life. I'm going to miss her tremendously."
"Well, my friend; you know I will not be at your funeral as I told you many times, "I don't do funerals", because I prefer a happier final memory. So, you know. But, I have walked Willow past your house this past week and we sit on your front step and I say my good-byes there. I hope you can hear them. We shared many moments together and I'll miss your friendship for years to come. I'll think of you often. Be in peace. "
"Mary and Ron Mesman We have known Anne since she attend X-ray Technician school at St. Marys. I (Mary) worked in the darkroom at that time. We will miss her deeply. Her friendship enriched our lives. "
"Your smile will be missed Anne -- I remember the concert at Alpine Valley and the crazy car ride back in the storm -- you are a trooper! Oh and the voodoo dolls were a great way to get through a bad day ! "
"Will miss you dear friend. Women's Week will never be the same, laughter in the tent and fun at the lake. Week long vacations with 'the girls", trips to St. Vincent's to find treasures we really did not need. You leave a big hole in our hearts, but your love for your friends and family will never be forgotten. Rest peaceful my friend until we will meet again. "
"I am truly honored to have known Anne. I loved our long chats about our mutual love of safari in Africa. She visited Botswana twice and fell in love with the people and the wilderness. Her hope for a third trip to trek to see the gorillas will sadly not become a reality, but I know that Africa will hold a special place in her heart forever. I also know that Anne would leave these words of advice for all -- never be afraid to push your envelope, travel to new places, experience new cultures and meet new people. Travel will always deliver! RIP my friend. "
"What terribly sad news. Annie was a good friend from day 1 when I moved to Madison. I will miss her great enthusiasm for all she did and all she wanted to do! Heaven is a better place with her there. Marsha Humphries Boex St. George, UT"
"I am sorry I never got to know Anne well. What I do know is she was always warm and welcoming. She made any event fun that she participated in. She was so loved by family and friends. I will miss her dry wit and sense of humor. So sorry for losing her too soon."
"What a great photo of Anni. Anni brought so many of us together including our trips to the Bahamas on the Shark 10 and the Sundancer. We have continued to be friends and family ever since thanks to Anni. We will miss her but the friendships that she initiated will be one of her legacies. Sail on Silver Girl! "
"Joan and family, I will miss talking to and seeing your sister at Dean. We would talk about anything and everything....many thoughts and prayers to all of you..."