09/30/2025
Keith Chris Kepler passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025, after a long fight with an illness called normal pressure hydrocephalus. Chris was born in Macomb, Illinois on October 6, 1951 to Lois Luan Gallaher Lofftus and Keith Frederick Lofftus. His parents divorced early in his life and Lois married David Chatfield Kepler. David brought Lois and Chris to his hometown of Palmer, Alaska in 1953. Chris’ brother, Mark, and sister, Patricia, were born in the next few years. Chris grew up going to his family’s campground, Kepler Park, where he enjoyed boating, hiking, and making forts with his siblings. The campground had been established by his grandparents, Jesse and Harriet Kepler.
As a student, Chris developed a love for music and science. He learned to play the clarinet and entered many science fairs. He won first place for a project called “Which Wing Flies Best” during his senior year at Palmer High School in 1969. He also developed an avid interest in airplanes during his youth and made his first solo flight on January 7, 1971 in the Aeronca Champ that he, his father, and his brother owned together.
Chris attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Civil Engineering. While at UAF, his cousin Diane Carlow set him up on a date with her childhood friend and roommate, Susan Dolese. It was love at first sight for Chris! Susan was not as spontaneously enthralled, but Chris was his typical goal oriented and enthusiastic self, and soon convinced her that they were meant for each other. They were married on June 8, 1974. After Chris finished his Masters degree, the two started the adventure of moving around the state as Chris pursued his career in civil engineering. They lived in Juneau, Anchorage, Aniak, Kenai, and Soldotna before finally settling back in Palmer in 1987. They welcomed their son, Jason Mark Kepler, while they were living in Anchorage in 1978. Their daughter, Caitlin Patricia Kepler, was born while the family was in Aniak in 1981.
Chris worked most of his career for the Alaska State Department of Transportation (minus a short stint for a job that confirmed he should go back to working for the State). He retired as the Central Region Chief of Maintenance and Operations in 2004. Immediately after retirement, Chris joined Susan in working for the local schools, Matanuska Christian School and Wasilla Lake Christian School, as a math and science teacher. He even served in the schools’ administration for a few periods of time.
Chris is remembered for his enthusiasm for life. He loved his family dearly and would always volunteer for things like being on the “chain gang” at his son’s football games or being a stage manager at early dance recitals for both kids. He loved to take visitors flying in his airplane so that they could share in the wonder of God’s creation. He played the saxophone on the worship team at Farm Loop Christian Center where he was an elder and with the Mat-Su Concert Band. He was thrilled that he was able to travel to places all across the world including the U.K., Germany, Tanzania, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, Guatemala, Indonesia, South Korea, Israel, Canada, and Antarctica. He was extremely generous with both his time and money. He would drive the bus for the Wasilla Lake teams as they traveled to compete and would often treat the team to ice cream at McDonald’s after a win. He would often invite people, including complete strangers, to come for lunch or dinner, or even live with the family for extended times. There was no doubt that Chris loved Jesus and showed that by loving people, happily counting everyone as a best friend.
Chris was predeceased by his parents Lois and David Kepler and Keith and Mary Jane Lofftus, as well as his father and mother in-law, David and Dorothy Dolese, who loved Chris like a son. He was also predeceased by his sister, Patricia Goosen, and brothers, Michael Lofftus and Patrick Lofftus. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan; his brothers, Mark Kepler and Joseph Lofftus; his son, Jason; daughter in-law, Christy; daughter, Caity; and grandchildren Azuray, Ezekiel, and Ezra; as well as numerous brothers and sisters in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great and great-great nieces and nephews. Each one of us will dearly miss our Chris the GREAT!
A Celebration of Life will be held at Farm Loop Christian Center (5900 N. Farm Loop Road in Palmer) on Friday, October 10th at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Frontline Mission (2001 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy, Wasilla, AK 99654) and King’s Christian School (3301 E. Parks Hwy, Wasilla, AK 99654) would be appreciated as a way to carry on Chris’ legacy of generosity.
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