Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Patricia "Pat" Kistler died peacefully at Hearthside Manor in Tacoma, Washington on Aug. 3, her son Mark "Diz" Kistler said.  She had celebrated her 100th birthday the week before.

Pat Kistler arrived in Haines when she was 95 and spent three years here, to be closer to Diz and his wife Mardell Gunn, before declining health made it too challenging. She moved to Hearthside Manor in late 2017.

Although her time in Haines was not long, and was partly spent in Haines Assisted Living, the friendly residents and Alaskan environment left a big impression, Gunn said. "She had the best community experience she had ever had in her life here."

Kistler liked the Chilkoot Indian Association's Sawmill Creek boardwalk trail as her wheelchair could access it easily. She enjoyed the library fundraising events, and the live Nativity play at the Lighting for the Fort, even during a blizzard. "We parked her by the bonfire and she just loved it," Gunn said.

Patricia Kistler was born in Spokane, Washington on July 27, 1920 to John and Marguerite Egan. She had two older brothers, both deceased, and one younger brother, Jerry, whom she took care of following her mother's death when she was 20 and he was 10.

She met Chalmer Wayne Kistler at a dance before he went off to fight in World War II, and married him upon his return in 1945. She raised their two sons in Los Angeles where her husband worked as an airline mechanic for TWA. She worked in the office of St. Bernard's Catholic school, and eventually taught business classes and typing there. She loved the family cabin at Mammoth Lakes. "It was vital part of her life," Diz said.

Working for an airline entitled the Kistlers to fly for free. They traveled often to Greece as well as other destinations in Europe and Africa. One long weekend, Pat flew to London and watched a handful of plays before returning to teach school on Tuesday. "They talked about that for a long time," Diz said.

She was an active community and church volunteer wherever she lived. "She was not a program organizer, rather one of those people who does whatever needs to be done," Gunn said.

After they retired, the Kistlers moved to Manzanita, Oregon. Pat spent much of her time outdoors in all weather, golfing, walking her two huskies on the beach, and playing bridge.

"I came down to visit from Alaska while being treated for cancer. One night I got pretty sick, and she put me in the back seat, and had me lie down, like an ambulance, and said 'let's go' and she drove those dark winding roads to get me to the hospital. I'll never forget that," Diz said.

As they aged, the Kistlers moved into several adult communities in Portland with increasing levels of care. Her husband was 96 when he died of Alzheimer's disease in 2012.

A Catholic Mass was held in her name in Tacoma. Her ashes will be scattered along with her husband's in the Chilkat Valley when it is safe to gather to celebrate their lives.

Pat Kistler leaves sons Mark (Diz) Kistler (Mardell Gunn) of Haines, Fletcher Kistler of Tacoma WA, and brother Jerry Egan of Salem, OR.

Was the secret to her longevity daily prunes? Caring for others? Her Catholic faith? Strong bones? Probably all of the above, her son Diz said, combined with a resolute determination, tenacity, and a "feisty" attitude.

"If she set her mind to something, by God she'd do it," Gunn said. "She had decided to live to 100, and a week later she passed."

Donations in Pat Kistler's memory may be made to any fund of The Chilkat Valley Community Foundation, chilkatvalleycf.org or PO Box 1117 Haines AK 99827.