Meet the Mayor Kristin Happel

Kristin Happel, the newly elected mayor of Waverly, grew up in the city. Her roots in the community make it extra special for her taking on this role, saying, ‘It’s an honor.’

Growing up in Waverly to now being its mayor, Kristin Happel was elected into office Nov. 4, 2025, and feels excited as she has been an active member of the community for many years.

“It’s a real honor to be able to spread the city’s mission and be involved and serve the city in this way,” Happel said.

Happel spent most of her life in Waverly, growing up in the city and graduating from high school in 2002.

She then graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2006 with an English degree and returned in 2012 to obtain her language arts teaching endorsement and a special education endorsement.

When she was in high school, her passion for giving back to the community started to grow after being a mentor in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program [High School Buddies Program], Later in life, she served as president of the parent-teacher committee when her kids were in school, while also coaching boys and girls soccer for six seasons and t-ball, boys baseball and flag football for three seasons. She also was a co-leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop for six years.

Another leadership endeavor she embarked on was working as the director of discipleship for a Trinity United Methodist Church, where she taught, led and sat on state- and nationwide committees.

Happel and her husband, Brian Stone, own Happel & Stone Custom Homes and Remodels. In 2023, they also started Riptide Community Closet, an organization that provides equipment and funds for children in need to be able to participate in extracurricular activities.

She also helps with several community organizations, including Oktoberfest and United Way. She ran the Waverly Winter Lights Christmas Parade for five years and ran a socially distanced Easter egg hunt for the city for two years.

Her background in education, leading at the church, business endeavors and community volunteering experience has all helped prepare Happel for this new chapter with the city.

On the city of Waverly’s website, her biography page reads, “I am honored and humbled to be the elected Mayor of this beautiful town. I have had a front-row seat over the past four decades, watching as Waverly grew, evolved, and strove to meet the needs and demands of an ever-changing and diverse community. I have immense pride in the town and citizens of Waverly.”

Happel and her husband got married in 2020 and combined their families. Together, they have two boys and two girls: Tori, Kasey, Prentice and Isaac.

She described her household as very active with her family attending many different athletic events like rugby, softball and wrestling. Happel’s family also loves to travel, within the country and outside, and go scuba diving whenever they get the chance.

Some of Happel and her family’s favorite things to do in the city are to go to the many local restaurants, walk on the trails, go to the W, visit the farmers market, stop in the Bremer Brewing Company and attend the city’s festivals and celebrations.

On the city of Waverly website, she described Waverly as a “forward- thinking community that offers a multitude of events and activities for families and individuals to be involved in,” and said that her passion is to “spread community unity, bringing opportunities for us to band together and work towards a positive future.”

“There’s a lot of great things to do here,” Happel said. “It’s a very walkable city with many local restaurants, shops and different things that go on for people to enjoy.”

Callee Fair, February 5, 2025

Callee’s Published Article Here