Ernest Kistler

Send Flowers Ernest "Ernie" S. Kistler December 10, 1924 - November 9, 2017 Ernest S. Kistler Obituary Ernest Samuel Kistler, 92, of Colby, Kansas, passed away November 9, 2017, at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kansas, following a recent stroke. Ernie, the third of four children born to Roy Allen and Effie Leah (Grover) Kistler, was born in Thomas County, Kansas on a farm belonging to Roy’s parents, Samuel Allen and Sarah Agnes Kistler, on December 10, 1924.  Ernest’s siblings are Roy J. “J.R.” Kistler (deceased), Wilma Kistler Towns Pabst (deceased), and Donald (Dorothy) Kistler of Colby. As a child Ernest attended the Olive Branch School, which was located near Roy A. Kistler’s farm.  He later transferred to Page City High School and graduated in 1942. On November 3, 1945, Ernest Kistler and Anita Ethel Shull were married.  Immediately following the wedding, they moved to Samuel and Sarah Kistler’s farm, which was Ernest’s birthplace.  To this union were born three children, Harvey, Stephen, and Janet.  Ernie was a farmer and rancher all his life.  He and Anita lived on the farm for 48½ years before they moved into Colby in 1994.  He remained active on the farm until his death. Ernest and Anita have been amazing grandparents to their 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, taking much time and effort to get to know each one--attending school functions, creating memories, and enjoying special times with them.  Just as they helped their children learn about life, they have also been there for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always willing to help, Ernie was community-minded and served the public in many capacities; he was a perfect example of a servant-leader.  He was a devoted member of the First Christian Church in Colby and lived out his faith in his family, church, and community.  He had a strong work ethic and continually looked for ways to serve and bless others.  He was hard-working, selfless, and humble.  Ernie loved being outdoors--caring for and enjoying trees, wildflowers, cattle, and the wildlife of the prairie.  He was conservation-minded and took great care of both land and water.  Ernie was a man of great character whose life’s ambition was to make a positive impact on the world around him by leaving things better than when he found them.  The world was a better place because he was in it, and everyone he met was better for having Ernie in their lives. Ernie is survived by his wife Anita (Shull), his brother Donald (Dorothy) Kistler of Colby; his children Harvey and Linda (Jones) Kistler, Stephen and Sally (Wade) Kistler, Carl and Janet (Kistler) Saddler, all of the Colby area.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Scott and Jenny (Saddler) Bjurstrom, Chase and Melany (Saddler) Sutton, Cory Kistler, Billy and Sandie (Kistler) Cook, Matt and Harmony (Kistler) Whalen, Jordan and Karen (Saddler) Sullivan, Christopher and Megan (Unruh) Kistler, Haley Kistler, Landee Kistler, Kayleigh Ann Kistler, Juliette Kistler, Tanna Kistler, and 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial service for Ernest will be held Wednesday, November 15, at 11:00 a.m. at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel in Colby with Lyle Knebel officiating.  A graveside service will be held at 3:00 that afternoon at the Summers Township Cemetery south of Colby. Memorials may be made to Citizens Medical Center, Inc. in Colby, Kansas.  They can be sent to Citizens Medical Center, 100 East College Drive, Colby, KS 67701, or they can be left at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel.