Julius Edward “Jed” Coller, 79, of Elk River, Minnesota, passed way, January 29, at his residence. Jed was born in Shakopee, Minnesota on April 28, 1945, to Julius Anthony "Jac" Coller II and Lorraine Imelda Coller (née Libby).

Jed was preceded in death by his second wife, Kathleen Julia, his former wife Margaret Antoinette, his youngest son, Ryan Gardner, his brother, Frederick William, and his parents.

Julius is survived by his sons Matthew (Joanne), George (Tanya), Julius James “Jamie” (Cris Braesch), and Ryan’s wife Tanya Riisager. He will be remembered by his grandchildren Isabel, Harris, Jake, Julius Jacob, Jack, Thomas, Kevin, and Keira. He will be missed by his siblings Fred’s wife (JoAnn Coller), Lorraine “Joansie” (Michael) Boyle and Cecille (Ralph) Arrigoni.

Jed was part of an extended family with stepchildren Kelly Jeanetta (Dan Willenbring), Shawn (Timothy) Scheel, Suzanne Hiltner, Timothy Jeanetta, Michael (Jennifer) Jeanette, 15 step-grandchildren, and 15 step-great-grandchildren. Jed had nieces and nephews Caryn Coller, Christine (Michael) Kelly, Cathy Jo (T.J.) Hendrickson, Cheryl (Brad) Pilcher, Mark (Jill) Arrigoni, Melinda (Matt) Alvar, John (Allie) Boyle, Jim (Jessie) Boyle Ray, and Freddie Boyle, along with many great nieces and nephews.

Julius attended Saint Mark’s Elementary school for eight years where he served mass on a regular basis. He played trombone in the high school Dixieland band and at outdoor summer concerts at Holmes Park. He loved driving the blue 1959 Cadillac around town with his best friends, including John Lebens. Jed graduated from Shakopee High School in 1963.

Jed enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1963 and joined ROTC and the Pershing Rifles Society. He received an Associate in Arts degree from the U of M as well as a diploma from Northwestern Electronics Institute in 1967. He worked as a Senior Electronic Technician at Dayton Hudson Corporation from 1967-1972.

Julius earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Cloud State College in 1975. He taught electronics at Anoka Technical College (formerly AVTI) from 1972 to 2004 (32 years) where he inspired students to become their best and mentored current instructors Tom Reid and Daniel Truchon.

Jed also enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. He was a friend to many, and his leadership roles included Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Sergeant Major. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in 1998 with 31 years of service.

Jed was a very social guy. He enjoyed his bowling league, his cribbage crew, his golf friends (he once made a Hole in One on two consecutive days at Cragun’s Resort). Jed enjoyed many annual fishing trips out on Lake Michigan with his sons and his friend Jeff Mammenga.

A funeral service will be held at The Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids, MN on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10:30. There will be a visitation one hour earlier at 9:30 in the church foyer. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with military honors on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 11:30.

The family expresses their profound gratitude to the team at Home Instead care givers and to the many wonderful neighbors and friends including Curt and Connie Barnier, Bruce Anderson, and Virginia Bennett.