Kris: hope you have Internet in heaven and you can see how many people love you.
Services were held at the Olson Chapel . Reverand Dr. Loren Nielsen presided, offering many personal insights and tributes into Kris' life.
Her daughters Kaitlynn and Erica each spoke of their love for their mother.
The ribbon read: "To Our Giving Sister"
From Amanda, Ashley, Katherine, Tyler, and Loren
From Florida Power and Light, Bruce's company
From Ken and Lisa Johnston, Tommy and ryan
So many friends and family gathered, that extra chairs had to be added.
Around the room their were easels filled with favorite pictures, gathered by Kaitlynn and Erica. Kris' life with her friends and family told the story.
A room was set aside for all the children to gather. They enjoyed hot chocolate and each other's company.
Kris' friends and family
Nancy Anderson, Linda Swengel, Ken Johnston Kelly Douglas with daughter Kelly and son Mike
Ken Johnston III, Mike (Mel) Douglas, Bruce Beisler
Nikki, Ashley, Amanda Beisler
David Waldsmith with Kaitlynn and Erica
President of the Rockford German Club
Thanks Marc, for the pictures you contributed to this story.
Bruce Beisler and Elke Beisler (Ron's wife) Bruce and Marc Beisler, with father Ron
Kris worked as a waitress at Aunt Mary's restaurant from age 16 until the week before she died. She was their longest serving waitress, and they prepared a plaque in her memory that now hangs in Aunt Mary's. The family went there to hang the plaque.

Kris' obituary in the Rockford paper

ROCKFORD -- Kristen Ann Beisler Waldsmith, 42, of Rockford died at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 17, 2005, in SwedishAmerican Hospital. Born Sept. 26, 1962, in Evanston, the daughter of Ronald and Susan Johnston Beisler. Married David R. Waldsmith in Rockford on April 20, 1991. Employed as a waitress at Aunt Mary's Restaurant from 1978 to 2005. Graduate of Guilford High School, Class of 1980. Attended Rock Valley College. Survivors include husband, David Waldsmith of Rockford; daughters, Kaitlyn, 12, and Erika, 8, of Machesney Park; father, Ronald Beisler of Rockford; brothers, Bruce and Niki Beisler of Palm City, Fla., and Marc Beisler of Highland Park; nieces, Amanda, 16, and Ashley, 13, Beisler of Palm City and Katherine Beisler, 14, of Highland Park; stepmother, Elke Beisler of Moore, S.C.; stepfather, Kelly Douglas of Rockford; stepsisters, Marion Minkwitz of Wheaton, Susie Calacci of Rockford and Kelly-Lynn Calacci of Illinois; stepbrothers, Mike Douglas of Rockford and Jeff Douglas of Arizona; grandmother, Edythe Johnston of Sarasota, Fla.; father- and mother-in-law, Robert and Virginia Waldsmith of Rockford; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Curt and Sharon Ennenga of Oregon and Randy and Mary Kay Gibisch of Elmhurst; niece, Lauren Gibisch, 7, and nephew, Tyler Gibisch, 9, both of Elmhurst; dearest friends, Tom, Brandon and Heather Bast of Rockton, and Barb Schafer of Rockford; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Predeceased by mother, Susan Douglas, in November 2003.

Service at 11 a.m. Friday, April 22, in Fred C. Olson Funeral Chapels Ltd., North Chapel, 2811 N. Main St., with the Rev. Dr. Loren Nielsen of Zion Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, and 10 to 10:45 a.m. before service Friday in the North Chapel. The family prefers memorials to Northern Illinois Hospice, 4215 Newburg Road, Rockford, IL 61108; American Cancer Society (for breast cancer research), 4312 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108; or Rockford Park District. Visit www.olsonfh.com to send condolences.