Obituary of Karl M Kistler

Karl Melvin Kistler, 88, long-time resident of North Liberty, passed away on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at The Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. 

Karl was born on February 24, 1930 in Fort Madison, Iowa to Herbert D. and Wilma C. (Rodgers) Kistler. He graduated from Fort Madison High School and enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was part of the occupation of Germany and spent time at various foreign language schools as he had an aptitude for languages. He was stationed in Bad Wildungen, Germany. It was there that he met Ruth Milli Anneliese Bretag and they were married in Bad Wildungen on October 31, 1953. After discharge from the Army, they moved to Iowa City so that he could attend the University of Iowa. He then started work at Square D in Cedar Rapids and worked there until his retirement in January 1993. 

Karl is survived by his sons Charles (Linda) Kistler of Danielsville, GA, Arthur (Mary) Kistler of Iowa City, and Robert Kistler of West Branch, and his daughter, Erika (Phil) Turvin of Farmington, NM, 16 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, son Herbert, granddaughter Sonja Williams, great-grandson, Nicholas, his parents, his brother, and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, December 1, 2018, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with burial at the Ridgewood Cemetery, North Liberty.  Visitation will be from 9am until services on Saturday at the funeral home.  To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.

The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff of The Bird House, who made his last days comfortable. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County.