The Gentle Bloom: Remembering Kristi E. Tucker, A Life Cultivated with Love and Kindness

The quiet strength, the gentle hand, and the truly enormous heart of Kristi E. Tucker, a cherished soul from Creston, Iowa, took its final rest on November 12, 2025. Just shy of her 59th birthday, she passed peacefully at EveryStep Hospice, leaving behind a profound emptiness, yes, but also a garden — an actual garden and a metaphorical one — brimming with the beautiful memories she cultivated throughout her 58 years.

Born Kristi E. Kempton on November 22, 1966, in the charming town of Atlantic, Iowa, she was the beloved daughter of Roger and Carol (Olson) Kempton. Her early years, we can imagine, were steeped in the warmth of a loving home, a foundation that would define her compassionate nature. She gracefully navigated her school days, graduating from Atlantic High School in 1985, before continuing her education at Southwestern Community College. And it was there, perhaps, that the seeds of her future began to truly take root.

Life, as it often does, led her to a pivotal moment on October 24, 1987, when she married her soulmate, Douglas L. Tucker, in Creston. Together, they built a life, a home, and a family — welcoming two wonderful sons, Zachariah (Zach) Douglas Tucker and Nicholas (Nick) Lane Tucker, into the world. Honestly, her boys were her pride and joy, a central constellation in her universe. And later, the arrival of her grandchildren, Mason and Maddex, simply added even more vibrant color to her already rich tapestry of life. You could say, her family was everything.

Kristi’s professional life reflected her inherent desire to care for others and connect with her community. She began her journey as a CNA, offering comfort and support when it was most needed. Many in Creston will also remember her friendly face and creative touch during her years at Creston Floral — a perfect fit for someone with such a green thumb, wouldn't you agree? Later, she brought her bright smile and excellent customer service skills to Fareway, where she continued to be a familiar and welcoming presence.

But beyond her work, Kristi's passions truly blossomed. She was an avid gardener, for sure, with a particular affection for flowers. Her garden, one can only assume, was a testament to her patience, her dedication, and her love for beauty. Animals, especially dogs, held a special place in her big heart; she simply adored them. And yet, her deepest joy, her truest happiness, came from spending time with her family. Those trips to Colorado? Cherished memories, no doubt. Shopping? Well, who doesn’t love a good shopping trip now and then!

Kristi was preceded in death by her dear father, Roger Kempton, and her mother-in-law, Delores Tucker, both of whom she missed deeply. Yet, her spirit lives on in her devoted husband, Doug; her sons, Zach and his wife Stephanie, and Nick; and her two beloved grandsons, Mason and Maddex. She is also lovingly remembered by her mother, Carol Kempton; her brother, Kevin Kempton and his wife Sue; her sister, Kelly Kempton; her father-in-law, Lyle Tucker; her brothers-in-law, Jeff Tucker and his wife Karen, and Kevin Tucker; her sister-in-law, Leanne Cheers and her husband Dennis; and a wonderful host of nieces, nephews, and friends who were lucky enough to know her genuine kindness.

Services to celebrate Kristi’s remarkable life will be held with a visitation on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 3-7 PM, and a funeral service on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 11 AM, both at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. She will be laid to rest in Graceland Cemetery. For those wishing to honor her memory, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to either EveryStep Hospice or Greater Regional Hospice. Because, honestly, that’s where her generous spirit would want it to go — continuing to care for others.