January 30, 1938 – November 19, 2025
Larry Edwin Koller, 87, a Pomeroy-area wheat and cattle farmer, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, from heart-related complications. Larry was the oldest of four sons and was born in Pomeroy to Edwin and Doris (Shelton) Koller on Jan. 30, 1938. He grew up on the family farm 25 miles north of Pomeroy and graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1956. He was an accomplished football player and boxer, earning many special awards.
Larry married Nelda Watson on Nov. 26, 1960. He graduated from Washington State University in 1960 and went on to veterinary school, graduating in 1963. Larry and Nelda lived in Pullman from 1960-63. In June 1963, they moved to Lewiston, where Larry practiced as a veterinarian. The family later moved to a farm 20 miles north of Pomeroy, where Larry began his farming career. In 1968, the family moved to the Bratcher place, where they resided for 41 years while raising their four sons.
Larry raised cattle and was an avid cattleman. He was proud of the steers from his herd that his sons and many 4-H and FFA members showed, primarily at the Garfield County Fair and the Spokane Junior Livestock Show. Several champion steers came from his herd. In 1981, Larry and Nelda were honored as Garfield County Cattleman of the Year. They retired and moved to town in Pomeroy in June 2009.
Larry was a member of the Pomeroy Christian Church and a lifetime member of the Spokane Junior Livestock Show. He showed there as a 4-H and FFA member and later served as president of the show board. He served on the Pomeroy School Board, was active in the Garfield County Fair, a member of the Pomeroy Pirate Booster Club and was a lifetime member of the Pomeroy FFA Alumni Association. He also served as treasurer for the Pomeroy Senior Center.
Larry loved his family and attended countless events involving his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to golf and was active in the sport to the end. He enjoyed playing cards — cribbage, pinochle and rummy — and he didn’t care for losing at any of them. He cherished spending time at Loon Lake and watching Cougar, Tigercat and Pirate athletics.
Larry is survived by sons Jim (Terri) Koller and Brian (Jana) Koller, all of Pomeroy, and daughter-in-law Shanna Koller, of Amarillo, Texas; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren: Nick (Ashley) Koller, sons Kanin and Carson; Craig (Beth) Koller, stepson DJ and daughter Cameron; Karla (Phillip) Luft, children Evelyn and Jace; Darren Koller, children Kolt and Kooper; Dalton (fiancé Courtney) Koller, daughter Leddy; Darbi (Clayton) Lankford; Jared Koller; Alyssa (Mike) Lehmitz, sons Kaysen and Holden; HayLee (Owen) Dudley, children Benson, Kellyn and Boden; and Torrie (Judah) Burton, daughter Kollyns. He is also survived by brothers Loren (Kathleen) Koller, of Kuna, Idaho, and Randy (Jody) Koller, of Pomeroy; sister-in-law Diane Koller, of Pomeroy; brother-in-law Garry Seipert, of Athol, Idaho; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nelda; sons Monty Koller and Brent Koller; and his brother, Roger Koller.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Pomeroy Christian Church. A meal will follow the service.
The family suggests memorials to the Pomeroy Christian Church, P.O. Box 699, Pomeroy, WA 99347; the Pomeroy FFA Alumni Association, c/o Kayleen Bye, 22 Sullivan Road, Pomeroy, WA; or to a charity of your choice.