Kristina Spangler

Kristina Spangler was born October 22, 1956 to Edwin and Ingeborg Buckheim in Los Angeles, CA. Growing up in Palm Springs, CA she sang opera as a child and modeled during her teenage years. She fell in love with animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. She participated in Marine Biology research trips to the Sea of Cortez. She raised Llamas, Wolves and Great Danes. Kristina welcomed the births of her three children; sons Joshua and Jason and a daughter, Kaylan. Kristina worked as a Medical Assistant for 13 years in Poway, CA; during which time she continued to attend Junior College and completed a large number of courses and credits. She long had a yearning to become a teacher or instructor but never had the proper opportunity to pursue that dream until 1994 when she was hired at Eton Technical Institute in Bremerton, WA as a Medical Assisting instructor. This opportunity confirmed for Kristina her desires to instruct so she completed her Associates Degree from Vincennes University, soon followed by her Bachelor of Science Degree in Adult Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. While working on her Bachelor’s Degree, Kristina completed an Internship with Vincennes University assisting in teaching several Junior College level classes. Her efforts led directly to employment with the Vincennes University satellite campus at Naval Station Bremerton where she taught several courses including Ethics, Human Sexuality and Biology as well as serving as the Assistant Site Director for the Naval Station Bremerton satellite campus. Mrs. Spangler continued to pursue her advanced educational goals by completing a Master of Education Degree in Adult Education from Heritage College in Toppenish, Washington in 1997.

She was a popular instructor who touched many lives with her hands on approach to education. She organized and led numerous field trips for the college courses she taught including trips to the Seattle Aquarium, IMAX, Olympic Game Farm and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.

Kristina met her surviving husband Dana in 1993; she moved to Washington and they married in January, 1994. Kristina and Dana lived in Bremerton, WA for the remainder of her years. She is survived by her husband Dana, her daughter, Kaylan Johnsen and son-in-law Paul Johnsen of Twin Falls, Idaho; her eldest son Joshua Shupe and daughter-in-law Chris Shupe of Blue Jay, California; Jason Shupe and daughter-in-law Christy Shupe of Jacksonville, North Carolina and three grandchildren, Tanner, Nicholas and Maegan.