08/18/2025
Kristin Wasser joyfully and peacefully went to her heavenly home on July 11, 2025 at 76 years
old after a brief battle with cancer. She left this earthly world knowing how truly loved and
cherished she was, with the love surrounding her a reflection of all that she had poured into
others throughout her life.
Kris was born on August 26, 1948 in Akron, Iowa to Thomas and Sara (Erickson) Dalton. She
was the third of five daughters known as the “Dalton Girls”. She solidly took her position as the
middle daughter, following the rules and keeping the peace, which was not always an easy task
in a one-bathroom apartment. Her sisters, Kate, Kim, Patty and Lori, would go on to be some of
the most important relationships to her. Sisterhood was a defining quality of her life.
As a freckle-faced blue-eyed little girl, she attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Hawarden, IA.
While there she perfected her impeccable penmanship, and dreamed of becoming a nun one
day. She went on to West Sioux High School where she graduated in 1966. Perhaps it was the
lack of earrings or color in the wardrobe but, by the time of graduation, her visions of the
convent had been replaced by dreams of California and she went to join her older sisters Kate
and Kim living in Burbank, CA. She immediately went to work for the FBI for a few years before
she began working for Flying Tigers Airlines where she was employed until 1977. During that
time she moved to a bungalow in Redondo Beach, drove a sports car, and lived out her
California dreams during her 20s.
In 1976, Kris reconnected with a Hawarden hometown boy, Doug Wasser. They quickly fell in
love and married on November 20, 1976. Shortly after their elopement at Love’s Chapel in
Reno, NV, they were presented with the opportunity to return to their rural roots and purchase
land in Biggs, CA. They bought the property, after a brief visit in 1977, and that is where they
remained for the next 40+ years. “The Farm” as it was lovingly coined, is where Kris learned to
drive a tractor, milk a cow, and make overalls fashionable. After a few years of rearing farm
animals, they decided to have children of their own. Their son Hayden was born in 1979,
followed by daughters Sarah in 1981 and Courtney in 1985. Kris was a caring, selfless,
encouraging and devoted mother. She loved her children unconditionally.
Once her children were all school-aged, she returned to work at the Butte County District
Attorney’s office, where she worked for 25 years in various secretarial roles. She loved her work
at the D.A.’s office and established many meaningful and lasting friendships with her
colleagues. She retired in 2013 to focus on the role she was truly created for: Nana.
Kris adored her grandchildren more than anything in this world, and the feeling was mutual.
Nana’s house was a place of refuge; a place where the answer was always yes; a place where
the hugs were warm and plentiful; a place where the snacks were superior; and a place where
the grandkids longed to be. Her support was unwavering, her pride was overflowing, and she
made every single one of them feel special and loved in their own unique way.
The cornerstones of Kris’s life were faith and family. She was a dedicated follower of Christ and
an active member of Grace Lutheran Church for nearly 50 years. Her resolute faith was, and
continues to be, a beacon for us all.
Her nurturing spirit extended well beyond her own children and grandchildren and included
countless nieces, nephews, and friends who were lucky enough to experience her warmth and
acceptance. So many were blessed to know the love of “Aunt Frissy” and “Mama Kris”.
Her comforting nature was epitomized through her home. She had a keen eye for design and a
gift for making spaces beautiful and inviting. There wasn’t a season she didn’t decorate for or a
room she wouldn’t rearrange. She had an iconic sense of style and wouldn’t dream of leaving
the house without lipstick. She lived her life full of faith and joy, poise and beauty, grace and
strength, and that is also how she left this world.
She was warmly reunited with many loved ones who had gone before her, including her parents
Thomas and Sara Dalton, her sisters Patricia Dalton and Lori Fryer (Dalton), her nephews
Dalton O'Donohoe and Matthew Haley, and perhaps most eagerly with her sweet granddaughter
Hazel Brewer.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Doug Wasser; son Hayden (Sarah) Wasser;
daughter Sarah (David) Brewer; daughter Courtney (Mateo) Marquez; grandchildren Lena
Hansen; Hayes and Elin Wasser; Hudson, Vivian and Everett Brewer; Leo, Ramona, and Oscar
Marquez; sisters Kate O’Donohoe and Kim Jennings; and many nieces and nephews.
As difficult as it has been to begin to navigate our lives without our Mom, our Wife, our Nana,
our Sister, our Aunt, and our Friend here, we can look to her example of steadfast faith and
gather strength from her favorite Bible verse, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in
prayer.” Romans 12:12
A celebration of life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Gridley, CA on August 25, 2025 at
11am. A reception will immediately follow the service and the Colonia Building in Biggs, CA.https://ramseyfuneralhomes.com/tribute/details/5478/Kristin-Wasser/obituary.html -start
