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Chrystal Fern Hunt

| August 10, 2011 8:24 AM

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 4 years old, 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 and a pastor who had also devoted his life to

Christ.

After returning to the U.S. 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 is 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 was

held Aug. 5 at Whitefish Church of the Nazarene, with burial at

Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements entrusted to Austin

Funeral Home. You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com and view

Chrystal’s tribute wall.