Dolly D. Koeller, age 94, of Clintonville, passed away Tuesday morning, Aug. 26, 2025, at her home with her family by her side.
Dolly Dawn Joyce Koeller was born March 17, 1931, in the Town of Pella, Shawano County, daughter to the late Franklin and Odellia (Koeller) Hoppe. She attended Shawano schools and was active with the cheerleading team. A classmate had written in her yearbook, “She may be a little mite, but she’s full of dynamite!” a testament to her school spirit.
Dolly was always performing from a young age; in addition to her cheerleading, the school plays and musicals always had a role for her, showcasing her talents in song, dance and acting.
After graduation from Shawano High School in 1949, Dolly worked at J.C. Penney’s Department Store and as a server at Brehemes Restaurant and Bar, Green Bay, often meeting and serving Packers players from that era.
Dolly was married to Edwin LaCanne in 1950; the couple lived in Green Bay for 13 years while they were married. After the divorce, she moved to the Clintonville area, where she met Robert “Bob” Koeller. Dolly and Bob were united in marriage in May of 1964. Dolly worked at her mother’s tavern, Hoppe’s Bar, Everson’s IGA, Coast to Coast Hardware and finally as a manager of the Shell station at the south end of Clintonville.
Dolly was a longtime member of Christus Lutheran Church, where she was active on multiple committees and served with the ladies groups. She loved to be around people each day of her life, serving friends and family and visiting. A memorable trip with Bob to Hawaii found her in the company of Don Ho, the singer and entertainer, who when learning her name, burst into the song “Hello Dolly.”
She loved camping over the years, card games like king’s corner, as well as board games like Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble. Dolly loved her puzzle books and crafting a bit in her younger years.
She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, and the great love she shared with Bob, her children and grandchildren, and so many other relatives and friends.
Dolly is survived by her loving husband, Bob; children, Trudy (Jerry) Koeller, Terry (Mary) LaCanne, Todd (Cindy Jensen) LaCanne, Troy (Theresa) LaCanne and Rhonda (Jim) Huhtala; grandchildren, Timothy Koeller, Carey (Cate) Leerek, Matthew (Andrea) Trombi, Allison (Bruce) Williams, Alicia (Jeff) Beyer, Shane LaCanne, Brian Olson, Jeremiah (Kimberly Linders) Ogurek, Mace LaCanne, Dylan (Daria) LaCanne, Bethany (Cameron) Huhtala-Schoonover, Joshua Huhtala, Rebecca (Travis) LeClair and Daniel Huhtala; great-grandchildren, Kody Koeller, Ryan Koeller, Keller Leerek, Konnor Leerek, Kyra Trombi, Nora Trombi, Ami Pfefer, Marin Pfefer, Emily Ferg, Gaven Ferg, Lyra LaCanne, Evryn LaCanne, Alexis Ogurek, Ryley Ogurek and Gunner Ogurek; and great-great-grandchildren: Zoey Koeller, Jasmine Koeller and Bonnie Koeller.
Dolly was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ben (Jeanne) Hoppe; and great-great-granddaughter, Cyrilla Deschler.
On behalf of Dolly, the family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers from Heartland Hospice and ARC Angels. Your dedication and support were a blessing to all of us.
Graveside committal and inurnment will take place privately at a later date at St. Peter’s Pella Opening Cemetery, Town of Pella. Rev. Brian Crocker of Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, will officiate the graveside committal.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville, is assisting the Koeller family.
An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.
