Chrystal Fern Hunt, 96

Chrystal Fern Hunt passed away quietly in her sleep on Aug. 2, 2011, just three weeks shy of her 97th birthday.

Chrystal was born on Aug. 29, 1914, in Julesburg, Colo., to Albert and Alice French; she was named by her older brother, Jewell, who, at age 4, aptly decided to call his sister Chrystal. As a young teen, Chrystal discovered what became a deep and abiding faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. After attending teacher’s training and Bible School, she spent the next eight years working at a mission in Council Bluffs, Iowa, sharing her faith in homes, jails and at street services. She considered those years to be some of the greatest learning experiences of her life.

At the end of World War II, Chrystal followed God’s call on her life and boarded the cargo ship Ferngulf. Three weeks later, she arrived at her destination, a mission compound in Nigeria, Africa. For the next 20 years, Chrystal ministered to the needs of the African people, sharing the love of Christ with all she met. She was a cook and a teacher, but also helped the people in any way she could. When the mother of a local newborn came to her begging for help, Chrystal didn’t hesitate. Because the baby boy had been born with an extra thumb, he was about to be sacrificed for his imperfection. Though she had no formal medical training, Chrystal sterilized a butcher knife and removed the thumb, saving the child’s life. Many years later, a “chance” encounter brought them together at a church meeting ... the baby had become a man, a pastor who had also devoted his life to Christ.

After returning to the United States in 1966, Chrystal taught school in Lewellen, Neb., where she met the love of her life, Ken Hunt, and they married a year later. She became the instant mother to his seven children, five of whom still lived at home. Chrystal came to love Robert, Geraldine, Delores, Darlene, Don, Mary and Dallas as her own.

The family moved to Montana in 1969, where Ken and Chrystal spent the remainder of their lives. They actively served at Whitefish Church of the Nazarene, and are considered by all who knew them to be beautiful examples of God’s grace and love.

Chrystal will be forever missed by her loving children, 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, along with brother Jewell, who will celebrate his 101st birthday in October.

She was preceded in death by her son, Robert; and siblings, Howard, Lester and Beulah. Chrystal’s beloved husband Ken passed away last year, just after their 42nd wedding anniversary.

Grandson KC noted that this year “they’re celebrating in heaven, and still haven’t missed an anniversary together.”

 A celebration of Chrystal’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, at Whitefish Church of the Nazarene, with burial to follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

 Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home. You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com and view Chrystal’s tribute wall.