Kistler, Dorothy Ellen (Christensen) (1929-2006)

KISTLER, CHRISTENSEN, KERNAGHAN, STOECKER, BRYANT

Posted By: Jane Adams (email)
Date: 1/10/2007 at 21:35:35

Fairfield Ledger
Mon., June 26, 2006, p. 10.

Dorothy Ellen Christensen KISTLER was born July 12, 1929, in rural Adams County, Iowa., the daughter of Clarence and Vera Sample CHRISTENSEN. She graduated from Creston High School in 1947. She was married to Robert Leo KISTLER on August 24, 1947, at the First Christian Church in Creston, Iowa. They have three children Belinda Marie, Robert Lee, and Mark Allen. Dorothy died on Friday, 23 June, after a long battle with breast cancer.

After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from Drake University, she undertook graduate work at the University of Iowa. Dorothy taught for twenty-seven years in the Fairfield Community School District, primarily with the fifth grade at Washington Elementary School. After an early retirement, she worked as Legislative Assistant with her husband Bob serving in the Iowa House of Representatives. In later years, Dorothy and Bob traveled extensively in their RV. They spent many happy hours traveling along with their grandchildren.

Through the years Dorothy remained active professionally, she was a member of the local, state, and national teachers’ organizations and belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma. Her special interest was the International Reading Association where she served as President of the Jefferson-Van Buren Council and State President and Coordinator of the Iowa Reading Council. She participated on programs for the Regional and National Conventions. Dorothy was selected as the Reading Teacher of the Year for Jefferson and Van Buren Counties.

She contributed greatly in many other groups, primarily the Fairfield Woman’s Club, serving as the first chairperson of the Garden Department. She belonged to Questors, Republican Women, American Association of University Women, and the Hospital Auxiliary. Dorothy has made God’s Creation more beautiful with her years nurturing flower gardens and planting trees. She earned a Master Woodland Manager Program certification from Iowa State University and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Dorothy was a devote member of 48 years of the Fairfield First Christian Church, serving as a Deacon, usher and Sunday School teacher through the years. She always showed great caring for others, Traditionally, just as her family had done, she would visit people in times of hurt bringing homemade chicken and noodles.

Survivors include Robert, her husband of 58 years. Her children are daughter Belinda and husband James KERNAGHAN of Fort Collins, Colorado; son Robert Lee KISTLER of Omaha, Nebraska; and son Mark and wife Monica of Coralville, Iowa. Grandchildren are Kristen and Brian KISTLER of Coralville, James KERNAGHAN of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Kailey and Kerri KISTLER of Sweeney, Texas. Dorothy is survived by two brothers, Bernard and wife Betty of Bellevue, Washington, and Bob and wife Sharon Christensen of Osceola, Iowa; and her two sister-in-laws Bertha STOECKER of Marion, Iowa, and Mary and her husband Dean BRYANT of Ankeny, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews as well as many close friends.

Visitation with family will be Monday evening at the Raymond Funeral Home from six to eight. The funeral will be at the Fairfield First Christian Church at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, June 27th, with interment at Evergreen Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the church starting at noon. Memorials can be made to the Garden Department of the Fairfield Woman’s Club, First Christian Church Youth Camp fund, or the Central Iowa Hospice.
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Printed with permission of the Fairfield Ledger.
This data transcribed for genealogical purposes; I am not related to the subject.