James A. Kistner, 82, of Elkhart Lake, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Songbird Pond Assisted Living where he had been residing.
Born September 6, 1942, in Sheboygan, James was a son of the late John and Cecelia Schaller Kistner. He attended Sheboygan area schools and graduated from Central High School in 1960. He then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1966, serving on the USS Thor. On June 18, 1966, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Koehler at St. Dominic Catholic Church. They were married for 56 years before Mary preceded him in death on September 13, 2022.
Jim was a payroll administrator for Kohler Industrial Engineering for 35 years before his retirement in 2001. Mary and Jim raised and showed Samoyeds and yellow labs for 52 years. They were members of the Sheboygan Kennel Club, the Samoyed Club of America, and the Greater Milwaukee Samoyed Fanciers. He loved antique cars and going to car shows and the Plymouth Stock Car Races. He cheered on the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers. One of his greatest joys was driving around. He had a love for food and talking. He enjoyed spending time with friends, including El, June, Karen, Linda, Ken and Nancy, and having coffee with Tom at the Throttle Stop.
He is survived by his children, Chad (Amy) Kistner, New Holstein, and Elisa (Scott) Wierman, Plymouth; his grandchildren, Zackary Wierman, Plymouth, Stephanie (Patch) Adams, Sheboygan, Desiree Wierman, Manitowoc, Ashley (Alex Bennin) Wierman, Sheboygan, and Melissa Wierman, Plymouth; his great granddaughters, Paisley and Amelia Adams; brother-in-law, Charles (Kara) Koehler; and his sisters-in-law, Charlotte Koehler, Lady Lake, FL, and Karen Koehler, Sheboygan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Besides his parents, John and Cecelia and his wife, Mary; he was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Mae Kistner; his brother, Gordon Kistner; in-laws, Francis and Janet Koehler; sister-in-law, Jayne Krause; and a brother-in-law, John Koehler
Funeral services for Jim will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1132 Superior Avenue. Family and friends are welcome at the funeral home on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. Entombment will take place in the Gardens of Peace Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name.
The family would like to thank nurses and staff of Pine Haven, Rocky Knoll, Waterford (Lori and Hannah), Songbird Pond (Karsen, Jasmine, Napresha, Torry, Julie, Tammy, Courtney, Laurie), Sharon S. Richardson Hospice (Shannon, Kaitlin, Kevin and other aids) and all those who helped care for Jim over the years. Also Drs. Coulis, Bettag, Johnson and NP Theresa who went far and above the call of duty.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Jim’s arrangements.
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