Caryle Jeannette Kassahn

Caryle Jeannette (Kissinger) Kassahn joined Christ Jesus on the morning of November 17, 2024. Her journey to reunite with Our Lord was guided by the comfort of all of her surviving family; first and foremost, her daughter Renata Reiter and son, Mark Kassahn and daughter-in-law Elfie Kassahn.

Blessed with 88 years, Caryle blossomed from the young wife of Jack Kassahn to a Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother. Her legacy remains strong through her three grandchildren: Bettina Machamer of Castle Rock, Jason Reiter of LaSalle and Christopher Reiter of Greeley. Great Grandchildren include Bettina and Kraig Machamer’s daughter Adrianne of Castle Rock; Jason and Laura Reiter’s daughter Virginia and sons Elmer, Michael and Jack of LaSalle; Chris and Destinee Reiter’s daughter Gabrielle of Greeley. Great-Great Grandchildren are Adrianne Machamer’s daughter Renata and son Logan Pachelo of Castle Rock. All generations reside in Colorado.

Her predeceased family members include her father and mother, Neland and Sarah; brothers Neland Jr., Jack, Lawrence, Leroy, and sisters Ruth and Lois; sons Glenn Martin, Bryan, and daughter Lisa; son-in-law Randy Reiter.

Caryle was born in Eckert, Colorado on April 21st, 1936 to Sarah (Greenwell) Kissinger and Neland Kissinger as the youngest of seven children. She graduated high school from Cedaredge, Colorado in 1954 and married the love of her life, Jack Kassahn, on August 22, 1954 in Austin, Colorado. Their robust marriage triumphed for many years before they celebrated their 50th Anniversary at the place of their very first date, Pea Green Dance Hall. Her family became rich with grandchildren before saying goodbye to her husband in 2021.

Throughout 66 years of marriage to her beloved Jack, Caryle was a dedicated wife and fearless mother to four children. Across the 33 places her and Jack called home she brimmed with eagerness to help Bryan, Renata, Mark and Lisa pursue their life’s dreams and destinations in the world. Their life was, in her words, “mostly an adventure.” Her ability to make a house a home led to many memories of construction and gardening. With the help of Jack’s logging company, she and her kin built a log house in Elizabeth, Colorado that was enjoyed before living in her most favorite place, Cedaredge, Colorado. Children and grandchildren drew her back to her final destination in Greeley, Colorado.

Caryle’s role as a home maker evolved from mother to Great-Great Grandmother quickly because of her faith; God’s words helped her make family her pride and joy. Countless fall color trips were had at her behest with family of all sorts. Children and grandchildren were never a passive audience during her road trips; they saw God’s glorious earth alongside her. Her faith was as unrelenting as the Rocky Mountains she so dearly loved that even her home address read Mt. Rainier! A woman of such strength and love could move mountains in heaven.

From her youth and throughout her life, Caryle’s love of the arts remained close to her heart. She and her sisters received a family piano when she was ten years old. From then on, she shared her gifts with others by accompanying choirs and soloists on piano and organ. She accompanied her own daughter when she was learning flute.

She enjoyed painting and the endless comfort of books. Nestled at home were walls filled shoulder to shoulder of bookshelves packed tightly with Christian novels and countless picture frames of family members displayed throughout. Her favorite reads were always of Christian origin and western influence; her childhood on a ranch and her love of the written word let her passion spill onto her own pages in her composition of Mountains of Faith.

Caryle found joy through many of God’s creatures. Her love of Airedales brought life into her home with not one, but two Jaspers and many other furry friends. She never tired of admiring birds, notably ducks, or flowers in her immaculate garden. Watching birds eat their fill from a plethora of feeders gave her the most comfort in her later days. With the help of her children, she created the landscaping of everyone’s envy no matter where she lived.

Music was her remedy and words her assurance. Without hesitation, she referenced the many plaques and verses compiled on her “Jesus Wall” to remind her of God’s truth and comfort in life’s pendulum of joy and sorrow. The hymn How Great Thou Art brought her everlasting peace and solace.

Born and raised in Colorado, Caryle was happy to boast being a superfan of its teams and Colorado’s beauty. Her adolescence was busy collecting box scores for baseball and reporting football statistics for the local newspaper. Her joy of football created a bursting “Bronco Room” office area with countless, unique memorabilia. Her love of ducks, flowers and sports teams was an admirable force to be reckoned with. Her adventurous nature was shared among her grandsons with bike rides and countless road trips to unknown destinations full of adventures and timeless Colorado scenery.

To everyone who has touched the hearts of the Kassahn family:

Not many people can make a person feel a part of this world by asking the simple question of “How are you, Darlin’?” but Caryle could. The Kassahn family thanks everyone who chose to be in her world.

In honor of her last wishes, here are her words for the memorial service on December 5, 2024 at 11:00am with Pastor Joshua Vanderhyde at Trinity Lutheran Church 3000 35th Ave, Greeley, CO 80634, and the interment at Eckert Cemetery, 13418 CO-65, Eckert, CO 81418, December 7th at 11:00am:

“I would especially like for this service to be one of worship and praise to my Lord Jesus, the Savior and Redeemer, who has sustained me over the years through the power of the Holy Spirit and especially redeemed me from my sinful nature. I would also dedicate this time to my beautiful family who have given me so much joy and have helped me with endless support and love. I will be waiting for you on the other side of the mountain. The love that I have for each of you and the love that you have for me has sustained me throughout my life. Please rejoice at my home-going. I don’t want to leave you, but it was time, so remember, I will be waiting for you with my precious grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters and friends along with Christ Jesus.” ~ Caryle Kassahn