Karl Melvin Kistler

KARL MELVIN KISTLER North Liberty Karl Melvin Kistler, 88, longtime resident of North Liberty, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at The Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. Karl was born on Feb. 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 Oct. 31, 1953. After discharge from the U.S. Army, they moved to Iowa City so 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, N.M.; 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 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with burial at the Ridgewood Cemetery, North Liberty. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until services on Saturday at the funeral home. To share a thought, memory or condolence, please visit the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.