Anna Makakoa Kisner, age 82 of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on August 27, 2022. Anna was born on December 17, 1939, at the Pioneer Mill Company Hospital in Lahaina, Hawaii. Anna was the 5th child born to Stephen Kelii Kalama and Mae Wahinehookae Kalama. Anna grew up on the island of Maui and graduated from Lahainaluna High School in June 1957. After graduating from high school, Anna moved to the island of Oahu where she eventually met her future husband, James Carl Kisner, known as Jim. On December 9, 1961, Jim and Anna were married at the Ft. Shafter Chapel in Honolulu, HI. They were married for almost 52 years until his death in 2013. Anna supported Jim as a military spouse as Jim's Army career of 23 years took them to postings at Hawaii, Texas, Illinois, Kansas, Guam, and Alabama. Jim retired from the Army in 1980 at which time he and Anna decided to make Huntsville, AL, their home.
Anna loved her Ohana deeply. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She had a great sense of humor and an incredibly genuine heart. She enjoyed dancing, belting out some karaoke, and being active. She might have been the smallest one in the family, but she was fiercely competitive and enjoyed playing softball, bowling, golf, cornhole, and taking her daily walks. Anna was a big lover of animals but definitely had a soft spot for dogs. We were unable to count the number of dogs in her lifetime that were lucky enough to cross paths with her and soon become part of her family. Her last two dogs, Oliver and Lucky managed to wiggle their way into her daughter's home when Anna was no longer able to take care of them.
Besides her parents and husband, Anna was predeceased by her brothers, Donald Kalama and Alvin Kalama, and her sister Myrna Lyerla. Survivors include her brother Stephen Kalama; sister Blossom Kalua; son James Carl Kisner, Jr. and wife Kim; daughter Terri Lynn Beeson and husband Doug; grandson Jonathan Douglas Beeson; granddaughter Anna "Annie" Elaine Beeson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held at Valhalla Funeral Home, Huntsville, AL on Friday, September 2, 2022 from 10:00am until 11:00am. Funeral Services will immediately follow at 11:00am. Burial will take place at Valhalla Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Anna M. Kisner so hopefully one day we can live in a world without Alzheimer's. Or, if you wish to honor Anna's love of animals, feel free to donate to a local animal shelter.
