Chris Kastler

(From Parker Mortuary)

Christina “Chris” Louise Kastler, 75, of Joplin, Missouri, after valiantly fighting complications following heart surgery, passed away peacefully with family at her side Friday, April 30, 2021 at The University of Kansas Medical Center.

Chris was born May 2, 1945 in Pittsburg, Kansas to the late Tony Reda and Fileda (Castagno) Reda. Chris graduated valedictorian of the class of 1963, Southeast High School, Cherokee, KS. 

Although accepted at Harvard University, that fall she enrolled at Pittsburg State University and proudly became a Pitt State Gorilla for life! She earned both her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Master of Science Degree in Genetics. An important part of her MS program was time spent in Tennessee involved in genetic research.

 

Not all those PSU years were spent with her studies, however. There she met James “Jim” Kastler, the man who, after using all his persuasive power to convince her mother he was the “right one”, on September 14, 1968, at St Bridget Catholic Church in Scammon, KS, would become her devoted husband for fifty-two precious years. 

Five weeks after the ceremony, Jim left for Viet Nam, and Chris, on her own, began the process of making their home in Joplin, the city where they resided for the rest of their lives together. Over the next five years, the young couple greeted with joy the births of their daughter Annette and their son James. 

Eventually, the little family of four expanded to include a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and five grandsons. In 2018, Chris and Jim celebrated their golden anniversary with the trip of a lifetime—an Alaskan cruise with all eleven of them making unforgettable memories together.

Throughout her lifetime, Chris found her greatest joy and fulfillment in her church and her family. She was a devoted parishioner and principal organist of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for many years. Her musical talents were recognized at an early age. At age 11, she started learning the organ on an old pump instrument and was often “borrowed” from her school room to play for special events. The number of weddings, funerals, and choir performances graced by her skills are too numerous to count.

During the early years of family life, Chris was blessed to be able to stay home caring for her children until they were school age. After that, she began her outside-the home career, working alongside Jim at Leggett & Platt in a variety of positions including, in her last years there, serving as project manager for an ecommerce team developing cutting edge marketing trends. 

After twenty-three years at Leggett, she retired in 2009. It didn’t take long, though, before Chris found a new and rewarding way to put her analytical mind and boundless energy to work! She became a grant writer for the Joplin Area Catholic Schools, which had always been dear to her heart as the place where her daughter taught and three of her grandsons attended school. For her hard work and successes including funding of the new pre-school playground, Chris was presented the 2020 Distinguished Benefactor of JACS award.

Throughout the years, Chris and Jim were familiar faces at every school activity and sporting event that involved their “Joplin grandsons.” The boys all knew that Nona would be there to cheer on their victories, console over their losses, and, occasionally, join them in a few mutterings about a questionable call. On numerous occasions, she and Jim made trips across the country to help with projects of their son and daughter-in-law and share in the fun with their two “Florida grandsons”. Their home in Joplin reflected Chris’ love of decorating for every holiday. Their yard was an ever-expanding garden of the beautiful blooms that Chris loved, and the doors were ever open in welcome.

Along with dear friend Linda Mobley, Chris co-owned and operated “Country Square”, a square dance apparel shop in Joplin where the two of them had great fun greeting their customers and spending time together. Chris was an accomplished seamstress, making her own daughter’s wedding dress, decorated with pearls carefully removed from her own dress. She loved music, dancing, and cooking. The yearly making of her “French” cookies and homemade raviolis were family traditions.

Chris leaves a boundless legacy of love--love for her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her extended family, and for her many, many friends. She cherished every moment she had with them and the memories they created together. Chris’ family mourns her loss and will forever miss her presence among them, but they celebrate her life well-lived and smile as they picture Heaven receiving its newest organist.

Chris is lovingly survived by her husband Jim; daughter Annette Taylor and husband Rob; son James and wife Deanna; beloved grandsons Christopher and fiancée Allison, Brendyn, and Nathan Taylor; Caden and Jackson Kastler; sister Mary Eileen Fortino and husband Ron; brother Mark Reda and wife Marilyn; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, countless friends, and many more whose lives she touched.

Services will be held on May 10th, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with a visitation at 9:30 AM, followed by a Rosary at 10:30 AM and Mass at 11:00 AM. Fr. Joe Weidenbenner and Fr. J. Friedel will officiate. For the welfare of all, the family requests that those attending please wear face masks.

A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Joplin Area Catholic Schools in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.