July 22, 1963 – November 28, 2025
Kris Jay Schilling, 62, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly November 28, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Kris was born on July 22, 1963, in Belmond, Iowa, the son of Francis and Phyllis (Buchman). He grew up in Clarion, Iowa, where he attended school and formed the foundations of the hardworking, steady man he would become. Throughout his life, Kris held a variety of jobs in manufacturing and construction, always happiest when he was working with his hands. He had a natural gift for understanding how things worked and a knack for finding creative solutions to whatever problems came his way, both on and off the job.
Kris met the love of his life, Susan Carlson, and the two were married on May 23, 2014. Together they shared 19 beautiful years—years filled with laughter, adventure, and deep companionship.
Some of Kris’s happiest moments were spent traveling the country on his motorcycle with Sue. They made countless day trips to the Mississippi River and even ventured out west to see Devil’s Tower. After receiving a double lung transplant, Kris discovered a new love for hiking. He and Sue explored trails near and far, including Effigy Mounds, Pipestone, and the Maquoketa Caves, grateful for each step and each shared view. They loved travelling together in general, Myrtle Beach being especially memorable as it was the first time Kris flew anywhere.
Kris was as straightforward as he was reliable. He never hesitated to speak his mind, and when he promised he would do something, you could trust it would be done. Yet beneath that blunt honesty was a patient, gentle man who adored his family. Becoming a grandfather brought him tremendous joy—he treasured the small, sweet moments spent on video calls with his grandchildren.
Music was another of Kris’s great loves. Though he listened to a bit of everything, Blues held a special place in his heart, and ZZ Top remained his all-time favorite. He and Sue enjoyed many outdoor concerts, both rock and blues.
Kris was a man of quiet, steadfast faith. He loved animals—especially dogs—and he was a devoted Detroit Lions fan. Watching the Lions play was sacred time for him; he was all in, and talking to him during a game was nearly impossible.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sue; step-daughters, Kelsey (Reid) Steckelberg of Brandon, South Dakota, and Savannah (Josh) VandenBerg of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren, Carson Rother, Reana Steckelberg, and Clara VandenBerg; siblings, Mark (Zelene) Schilling, Debra Reyes, Diane Shores, Penny (Jim) Munday, and Karen (Mike) Cmelik.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Francis and Phyllis; as well as his nephew, Garrett Roberts.
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