Barbara J. (Koeller) Kroner was called home to be with the Lord on Feb. 19, 2015, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

She was born July 6, 1950, in La Crosse to Paul and Beverly (Nelson) Koeller. Barb attended La Crosse public schools, graduating from La Crosse Central High School in 1968. After her high school graduation, she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as a major in the elementary education program. She graduated from UW-L in 1972, with high honors and accepted her first teaching position with the Mondovi Public School District in Mondovi. Thus began a career as a teacher that spanned 40 years, most of which were spent in the School District of La Crosse at Longfellow Middle School. Barb retired at the end of the 2006 to 2007 school year. After her retirement, she continued her love of education at UW-La Crosse as a supervisor of student teachers and as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Educational Studies until 2012.

On Aug. 5, 1972, Barb married Russell Kroner Jr. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Barb and Russ enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 42 years.

She is survived by her husband, Russ; two daughters, Jill (Gregg) Fink of Onalaska, and Kristin (Richard) Holthouse of Lake Zurich, Ill.; and her grandsons, Brandon Fink and Evan and Luke Holthouse. She loved her family dearly and was a very proud and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She is also survived by sisters, Susan (John) Birkinbine of Madison, Janet (Thomas) Faile of Onalaska; brothers, Paul (Karen) Koeller of Rochester, Minn., and Daniel (Debi) Koeller of La Crescent, Minn.; brothers-in-law, Kurt (Jean) Kroner of Holmen, and Peter (Susan) Kroner of Onalaska; sister-in-law, Sarah (Janis) Rozenbergs of Verona, Wis; and mother-in-law, Edythe Kroner of La Crosse; as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends.