Emily J Kreisler

Emily Jean (Tokheim) Kreisler, 88, was born on April 3, 1934 in Mason City, IA and died on March 29, 2023 in Blue Springs, MO. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 11:00 am at Independence First United Methodist Church, 400 W Maple, Independence, MO 64050.

Her parents were Merle Anna (Kluckhohn) and Theodore Tokheim. She was the first of three girls and grew up on a farm south of Garner, Iowa for 11 years. In 1946 the family moved to Mason City, IA. Emily graduated from Mason City High School in 1951 at age 17.

After graduation Emily attended St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, MO and graduated in 1954 and became a Registered Nurse (RN). She moved to Mexico, MO and in her brief career as an RN, she helped set up the new recovery room at Audrain County Hospital in 1955. There she met Fredrick (Fritz) Kreisler, the Sports Editor of the Mexico (MO) Evening Ledger. They married in 1956, and soon started a family. In a few short years they had 3 children – Austin, Eric and Mary and enjoyed 59 years together. In 1957 they moved to Independence, MO when Fritz began working at the Kansas City Star. Emily enjoyed her career as a housewife and stay-at-home mom. Reading, cooking, sewing, photography and traveling were her interests. Fritz and Emily enjoyed taking their family on annual summer vacations in the United States and Lake Pomme de Terre in Missouri while the kids were growing up. Later when the children were off on their own, Emily and Fritz traveled the world. From an excursion to Walden Pond (Thoreau), to Norway and Antarctica, Emily and Fritz enjoyed traveling to all seven continents, many art galleries and sports venues along the way and even visited Norwegian relatives 3 times. In their later years Fritz and Emily enjoyed playing games (Yahtzee and Backgammon) together after lunch each day.

Emily was a lifelong member of the Methodist church and member of the United Methodist Women (at one time served as President), member of Della Lamb Auxiliary, member of the Mizpah Class at Independence First United Methodist Church. Emily and Fritz enjoyed playing bridge with a group of church friends for many years.

Preceding her in death were her parents, two sisters Margaret Chandler and Eleanor Clark and husband Fritz.

She is survived by son Austin Kreisler (wife Debbie), son Eric Kreisler and daughter Mary Cromwell (husband Chuck), 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces’, nephews and friends.

In honor of Emily, the family suggests contributions to the Independence First United Methodist Church, 400 West Maple Ave, Independence, MO 64050 or Meals on Wheels, Independence, MO where she and Fritz both volunteered.

online condolences' may be left at www.dignitymemorial.com