MESQUITE, Nev. - Kristin Gene Niswonger, age 63, of Mesquite, Nev., passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. Kris was born in Independence, Iowa, on March 12, 1959, to Sandra Joyce Niswonger, nee Anderson, and Gene Arthur Niswonger.

Kris grew up on the Virginia coast, where he enjoyed beach-going and fishing with his four siblings and their parents. He trained as a cyclist in the Blue Ridge Mountains and was an avid racer. He relocated back to the Midwest with his family as a young man and settled in Madison, Wis., for a number of years, working with his father and brothers in auto graphics design.

Kris developed an interest in flying and owned his own experimental aircraft plane which he flew over the Wisconsin countryside, one time rigging a camera onto the wing of his plane. He moved away from the cold winters when he purchased land in San Antonio, Texas, where he designed and built his hangar home at a small airfield and spent many years there flying his pterodactyl plane. Kris channeled his creativity through stained glass art, including a masterpiece window portrait of his sister, Kerry, at the piano. He enjoyed learning and playing guitar music and developed his love of photography over many years-even cataloging decades of family photos digitally. Kris moved to Mesquite, Nev., in recent years where friends and neighbors would often see him riding his solar-powered bicycle around town.

Kris is survived by his mother, Sandra Niswonger; his brothers, Mark Niswonger of Madison, Wis., and Eric (Debbie) Niswonger of Fort Myers Beach, Fla.; and his sisters, Kerry (Phil) Heinecke of Mosinee, Wis., and Robyn (Ken) Shingler of Shawano, Wis. Kris’ father, Gene, preceded him in death in 2008. Kris was especially proud of his nieces and nephews and stayed in touch with them regularly. He was a teacher, a writer, an athlete, a musician and a friend to all.

Private services will be held for Kris’ family in Wisconsin. Gunderson Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Kristin Gene Niswonger

March 12, 1959 - August 13, 2022

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