Kristen Myler

KRISTEN JOLIE REBER MYLER

1977 - 2020

We would like you to know that Kristen’s work here is done.  She received a call, a sort of an offer you can’t refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning.  This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time. Her new mission takes her to a wonderful place where she is free of disease and pain.  A place where she will be socializing, running barefoot on the beach, dancing, gardening and learning to her heart’s content.  Music, laughter and lots of hugs are guaranteed.  Food is delicious and you never gain an ounce.  Her legacy of love will be passed on to her future grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kristen Jolie Reber Myler graduated from this mortal life 28 April 2020, St. George, UT. She died peacefully at home, after living an abundant life with meaning, purpose and direction, surrounded by her family. A special prayer of gratitude to her angel sister, Rachelle who never left her side; the doctors that brought all they knew to try and help her and the many nurses who showed tender compassion through all of the COVID-19 restrictions in the final weeks of tests and procedures.

As her family, we were given the gift of living a beautiful life with Kristen and now have to give her back.  This is hard--really hard.  She was first diagnosed in 2012.  She was 36.  When the cancer re-occurred for the third time, the odds of healing were slim and the fight was daunting.  She, however, decided to be joyful and lived each day with purpose, facing this final challenge with faith, hope & courage.  She made every moment count, every phone call, every act of kindness, every hug, every meal, every bowl of chocolate sauce; everything mattered.

Kristen was born 26 July 1977 in Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon, the sixth daughter and tenth child of Dennis and Lynn Howard Reber. She graduated from Sutherlin High School in 1995. She immediately attended Ricks College (now BYU-I) in Rexburg, ID and received her AA degree in 1997.

She married the love of her life, Darryl Kurt Myler, November 1998 in Sutherlin, Oregon. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple, November 1999. They have two beautiful children, Meg Myler Lisonbee and Roman Myler, both of Saint George, Utah.

Kristen and her children moved to St. George in 2017. She found her dream home in Bloomington.  It quickly became both a place for peaceful beauty, love and solace but also a fun, happy home perfect for hosting breakfast gatherings, family potlucks, warm summer nights watching movies, eating ice cream and popsicles with friends on the lawn or cooling off from the hot summer days splashing in the pool. Her gardens lush with trees, flowers, roses, hummingbirds, buzzing bees, lizards, and dragonflies will all be loving reminders to us of Kristen’s happy places.

Kristen loved being active. She loved running and when she was healthy you would see her running the streets of her neighborhood every day.

Kristen had a life-long love of learning and sacrificed much to make sure her children had the best education she could provide.  The time she spent with them is priceless as we look back and treasure all the many hours, days and weeks that she was able to learn, study and teach alongside Meg and Roman in their home. Meg was home-schooled until her senior year when she enrolled in Dixie State University. Roman entered public school in 8th grade.  Two years ago she started working on her own Bachelors of Science Degree through Utah State University. She completed that degree just days before her death. Even when she was so weak and sick she could scarcely lift her head off the pillow, she had her laptop on her bed so she could study.  It wasn’t just a degree – it was her thirst for knowledge.

She was a dedicated, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, auntie and friend. It was obvious to anyone who knew her that her family was everything to her. She was quiet, unassuming and never wanted to be the center of attention. Her beautiful smile filled up a room and those in it with love and peace. She was tender, compassionate and kind to everyone. She made friends easily because she could only see the good in people and they gravitated to her and her goodness.  She made others feel at home just by being with her.  She knew how to really empathize with others and listen deeply.

She was self-reliant and resourceful. She had a lot of fun shopping at yard sales searching for the “sweet deals” which she would tidy up, restore and use to beautify her home or frequently resold them for a little profit.  Kristen was unpretentious, she didn't need to be expensive to look stunning, most of her clothes came from yard sales or thrift stores. Frugal was beautiful to her and she knew how to add a little here and there to create just the right look.

Kristen stood for truth and righteousness as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She rejoiced in the blessings of the temple and understood her divine destiny.  She strove to do good and to be of service to those around her. She was especially fond of serving our country's veterans.  Her husband Darryl and her father are both US Army Veterans.

She had more than her share of hard things in life. She handled these challenges and adversities with courage, grace and strength. She had the ability to express compassion and love to others, regardless of how she was feeling. She always put others first and seemed to  have an innate ability to know what to say, how to help and lift others.  Her valiance inspires us.

Kristen is leading the way back home for a bunch of us - her children, Meg Myler (Bridger) Lisonbee and Roman Myler; her parents, Dennis and Lynn Reber; her sisters, Robin (Dan) Sanderson; Rachelle Reber; and Katie Soli, all of St George; Denise (Rance) Larsen, Colfax, WA; Ranelle Reber, Montesano, WA; her brothers, Ben H. (Linda) Reber, Lindon, UT; Rex (Michelle) Reber, Oakland, OR, Ryan (Shannon) Reber, Sutherlin, OR, Kyle (Sonja) Reber, Medford, OR, her parents-in-law, Dean and Kathy Myler, McKay, ID; brothers-in-law Cary (Tersa) Myler, Anchorage, Alaska; Aaron (Sally) Myler , Driggs, ID; Jeff Myler (Tracy), Pocatello, ID; Weston (Ariela) Myler, Lebanon, OR; Scott (April) Myler, Creswell, OR.  Also many loved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She also left behind many dear friends from everywhere she lived-- Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Utah.

She was preceded in death by her husband Darryl in January 2015 and brother-in-law Kent Myler, Oct 2015.

A Celebration of her life will be held in the future, after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.  In the meantime, remember – “It’s going to be okay – She’s got this.”