Dr. Laree M. Trollinger, 92, passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at The Highlands at Wyomissing. She was the widow of Gary L. Trollinger, a Reading Eagle editor and arts critic, who died December 28, 2005.

Born January 26, 1932 in Cloquet, Minnesota, she was the daughter of the late Vernon and Christine (Anderson) McNeal. A graduate of Cloquet High School, she received a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. She was a voice instructor at the University of Minnesota - Morris Campus from 1954-1957. After earning her Master of Music degree from Northwestern University in 1957, she studied voice and performed professionally in Germany while working as a civilian employee with USAEUR. While stationed at Monteith, Germany, she met her husband and returned to the U.S. to live in Berks County in 1959.

Laree was a Professor of Music and Voice at Kutztown University for 33 years. She joined the faculty at Kutztown University in 1967 and was awarded her Doctorate of Musical Arts from Temple University in 1979. Her research on the personalities and biographical factors of highly creative women musicians received international recognition followed by numerous other publications on various topics. She served as the music department chair and on numerous university, state, and national educational committees and conference panels during her tenure at KU.

Laree was a member at Atonement Lutheran Church in Wyomissing since 1959 where she served in many ways including the arts and most recently with the Stephen Ministry.

Laree loved animals. As a girl, she was able to help with birthing baby lambs and raised a deer by herself. She enjoyed family history and pursed that passion in researching genealogy. She had a poodle companion while overseas in Germany named Thomas Jones (named after the Henry Fielding character). She was obsessed with lighthouses; starting with the lighthouses in the Duluth, MN area as a child and then later as an adult with Cape Hatteras, NC.

During her residence at the Highlands of Wyomissing, Laree continued to serve as an ombudsman for residents and on numerous other committees. She additionally worked as a volunteer for the Berks County Historical Society.

Left to treasure her memory are sons, Vernon M. Trollinger (Judith) of Iowa City, IA and Karl R. Trollinger (Liz) of Houston, TX; daughters, Dr. Valerie L. Trollinger- Flohr (Dr. John W. Flohr) of Fleetwood and Dr. Lorraine C. Trollinger (James J. Connelly) of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren Justine O., Ian M., and Karl J. Trollinger; Kevin J. and Eugenia L. Connelly; step-grand-daughters Amanda Flohr-Egile of Paris, France, Christine Stratton (William) of Denton, TX, Elisabeth Flohr of Waco, TX; step great-grandchildren Jake, Helen and Juniper, and grand dogs, Fiona, Mollie, and Stella.

Laree was predeceased by her husband; parents; brother, Arnold V. McNeal; and sister, Inez C. Peterson.

A Memorial Service will be held at on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11 AM at Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Boulevard, Wyomissing with inurement in the church’s columbarium. The visitation will be held from 10 AM to the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Boulevard, Wyomissing, PA 19610; Reading Symphony Orchestra, 100 North 5th Street, Reading, PA 19601; or Alzheimer’s Disease Association, 237 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve the Trollinger family. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.