Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2026.
Lorraine Imelda Libby was born May 30, 1913 in St. Paul, daughter of Cyrille Edward Libby (1883-1978) and Bertha May Thompson Libby (1885-1968). Her grandparents were Cyrus Edward Libby, who was born in Maine around 1858 and died in 1890 in Maine) and Jennie Brouder (1860-1891); and Bertram P. Thompson (1854-1936) and Maria Viola Jenkins Thompson (1854-1937).
She attended St. Margaret’s Academy and later Durham Hall.
Lorraine graduated from St Catherine’s College with degrees in English and Art.
She earned her teaching degree later in life at Mankato State University. She taught many years as an elementary teacher and later as an art teacher.
Lorraine Imelda Libby married Julius A. Coller II on Nov. 24, 1938 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee. They moved to their home at 434 Lewis Street South in Shakopee.
According to Lindsay Marshall, executive director of the Scott County Historical Society, Lorraine never took an art class through her education, but found her natural talent in many forms, with a strong religious influence. “In 1947, while home battling a severe ear infection, Lorraine’s father gave her a large tablet and a set of charcoals. Despite having no formal training, her drawing had forms, proportion, and balance.”
Lorraine’s passion for art found many forms throughout the years in her clay, stone, and wood sculptures, oil and watercolor paintings, and charcoal drawings.
She designed the cover and the illustrations for The Shakopee Story and St. Mark’s Centennial, both books written by her husband, Julius.
In 1956, she returned to St Catherine’s College in St. Paul to take classes in art and art history.
Lorraine Imelda Libby Coller taught schools in Shakopee, Savage, and Chaska, along with adult education classes around the Twin Cities.
Her religious commitment was highlighted in her creation of vestments, chalices, sculptures, paintings, and life-sized religious snow sculptures.
On March 1, 2009. Lorraine passed away at the age of 96, peacefully in the arms of her family.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Julius A Coller II.
Lorraine was survived by her children Fred (JoAnn) Coller, Jed (Kathy) Coller, Lorraine (Michael) Boyle, CeCe (Ralph) Arrigoni, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.