As the eldest child in a family of five children, Fae learned patience, leadership, and the value of family early in life. While carrying many responsibilities much of the week including helping to raise her younger siblings, Fae’s favorite pastime, when the opportunity arose, was reading. Even when she was quite young, Fae and her sister, Janice, often walked downtown to the Akron Public Library to check out stacks of books to take home and read, a pattern that continued throughout her life.

Fae attended Spicer Elementary and Central High School in downtown Akron, with special memories of reading, geometry and early childhood education teachers providing lifelong inspiration. Following graduation in 1951, as a young woman ready for adventure, she traveled to California to attend Life Bible College, and was soon joined by a young suitor, Richard Lee Koelker. The two would soon return to Akron to marry and start a family, eventually growing to six children.

Though her family meant the world to her, in the late 1960s, after many years of marriage, she determined that her path needed to branch, and so she carefully planned and willed into being a means to support herself and her children apart from Richard. Founding Play & Learn Preschool in 1969 in Stow, Ohio, at Adell Durbin Park (later relocated to Stow Community United Church of Christ) was the first step towards financial independence, new adventures, and so much of what grew to define her adult life. As this school grew, she began pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, one course at a time, from the University of Akron. Graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1981 at almost 48 years old, with special recognition as a reading specialist, Fae was a role model of perseverance and possibility, inspiring her younger sister Janice to do the same. Not one to let grass grow under her feet, she also founded a preschool at Arlington Memorial Baptist Church which later relocated to North Springfield Presbyterian Church and became known as Eastgate Preschool. During her career, spanning from 1969 to 2013, as a teacher of three-, four- and five-year-olds, she read to, sang with, and nurtured thousands of children. Many of these children grew up and returned with their own children to Eastgate Preschool, seeking the warmth, security, playfulness, wisdom and embrace of this special teacher.

Curious, resourceful, independent, confident and loving, Fae’s life was rich and textured. Her first and most abiding love was for babies and little children, and she liked nothing better than spending time with them. She also loved music. She taught her children to play the piano and encouraged them to learn to play other instruments as well. She had a special affinity for old hymns and loved singing them with friends and family members. Her children grew up listening to Fae’s favorite record albums featuring vocal artists such as Burl Ives, The Lennon Sisters, and Patsy Cline. Fae also had a special affinity for the music created and performed by her children and grandchildren. She traveled regularly and extensively with her children and grandchildren, visiting countless destinations around the United States. Known for her delicious pies, her family hopes to continue the tradition of making her chocolate, pecan, custard, and pumpkin pies using her time-tested recipes. Fae also loved to sew, embroider, and do cross-stitching. She once made matching blue velvet Easter dresses for herself and her four older daughters, each detailed with creative and unique styles and flourishes. She taught her children and grandchildren many skills that she had learned, as well as encouraging their other interests and passions.

From a heart of tenderness and compassion, Fae was quick to give generously to those in need. As a young draftsman for Goodyear, she contributed her entire income to her church. As a preschool owner, she welcomed children in financial need without tuition. As a daughter, she helped her mother and father with their family business through countless hours, and also welcomed her mother into her home, supporting her for many years until the end of her life. As a grandmother, she frequently babysat her grandchildren to help her daughters achieve their career goals. As a neighbor, she donated time and money anonymously to those experiencing hardship. As a citizen of the world, she supported SmileTrain (an international charity providing cleft-palate repair) for many years, improving the health, wellness, happiness and opportunity for children across the globe.

The last decade of her life presented unbidden, unique and heart-rending challenges, as she bravely accepted and then stoically traveled the uncertain roads of progressive dementia. Supported by her children, grandchildren, extended family and many special caregivers, she was able to stay in her own home, cared for tenderly until the end. The family would like to extend special thanks to her most dedicated caregivers, including Linda McAllister, Betty Corder, Sharon Sharp and Yolanda Iddeen.

Fae was beloved by the many people whose lives she touched through her preschools. Wherever she would go in the Ellet area, people would frequently stop to greet her and share their treasured memories of their early days spent at Eastgate Preschool. Generations of children attended Fae’s schools. Occasionally she even heard, “My grandma attended your school, my mom attended your school, and I attended your school!”

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Though a quiet person regarding her faith, Fae’s preschools always included Christian teaching and values.

Over the years she attended several churches, including the following:

- the Foursquare Church
- the Chapel on Fir Hill
- Thomastown Baptist Church
- Springfield Baptist Church
- Arlington Memorial Baptist Church
- Crossroads Bible Fellowship
- Mogadore Baptist Church