Kristi Appenzeller

Kristi Custer Appenzeller of Pflugerville, Texas, formerly of Cedar Falls, lost her courageous battle with cancer on August 15, 2012. Kristi's family was the main passion of her life. Kristi fought long and hard to overcome cancer. She was the daughter of Judy Estabrook (Bruce) of Cedar Falls and Keith Custer (Janet), of Dunkerton, Iowa. Kristi was preceded in death by grandparents, Ray and Helen Custer and George and Dorothy Garth, all of Cedar Falls. She was born August 30, 1966 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1985. In 1989 she graduated from Iowa State. She had lived in Chicago where she was a teacher and later an account executive in advertising. Kristi married Todd Appenzeller in 1996. They moved to Pflugerville, Texas in 2004. She was devoted to her family, her sons, and her friends in Texas, Iowa, and so many other places. Bruce Smith, one of Kristi's dearest friends and neighbor in Pflugerville, wrote the following tribute: "Maybe God chooses the toughest challenges for the toughest people. The people who can endure and conquer the trials and tribulations us lesser folk would crumble in the face of. The people who are best equipped to be beacons of hope and courage in a most difficult and troubled world. The people He chooses to shine His light and teach us how to be better. He may have never chosen a more stout or inspiring vessel than Kristi Appenzeller, a true champion and indomitable force. Kristi's body eventually succumbed to the ravages of breast cancer yesterday afternoon, but her spirit and attitude kicked it's butt every second of their epic battle. Optimistic, confident, defiant, humorous, loving and resolute in the face of impossible odds and circumstances and ungodly pain, Kristi showed us all how to live and be Alive. That, while our bodies have to eventually fail us, our spirits do not. Of all that she stood for and taught us, there may be no more generous gift than that... We are most humbled and thankful for the friendship and love of Kristi Appenzeller and who she will always be to us and all those who were most fortunate to know her. Godspeed and Vaya con Dios our sweet and triumphant friend, we will do our best to follow your most beautiful example..." Kristi is survived by her husband, Todd, and two sons, Sam and Luke, of Pflugerville, Texas; her mother and father; brothers, Kreg Custer (Christina) of Raymond, Iowa, and Kevin Custer (Jennifer) of Cedar Falls; Mother in-law Connie Wooldridge (Lloyd), Father in-law Rich Appenzeller, Brother in-law Scott Appenzeller; two nieces and four nephews. A celebration of Kristi's life was held Sunday, August 19, at the Pflugerville Community Church. Funeral services for Kristi in Cedar Falls will be on Friday, August 24, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Richardson Funeral Home, Cedar Falls. In lieu of floral tributes, the family suggests memorials to LiveStrong.org.

Kristi Appenzeller

August 30, 1966 - August 15, 2012