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Chrystal, Roberta J.
Roberta J. Chrystal, 87, a long-term resident of eastern Iowa, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, in an assisted living facility in Alpharetta, Ga. Visitation will be at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. Services will be at Golden Congregational UCC Church in Ryan on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m.
Survivors include her four children, Carrol Chrystal of Kennewick, Wash., Cynthia Chrystal of Johns Creek, Ga., Brian Chrystal of Delhi and Michelle (Jeffrey) Warner of Johns Creek, Ga. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents, James E. and Emma (Zimmerman) Shover; three sisters, Lucille Hallett, Irene Locke and Perle Zumbach; one brother, James R. Shover; and one grandson, Christopher Chrystal.
Roberta was born Jan. 2, 1926, near Ryan, Iowa. On Sept. 26, 1948, she was united in marriage with Harold R. Chrystal. Roberta was a grade school/high school teacher in Nemaha, Garnavillo and Ryan Public School systems. She and her husband farmed in Delaware, Buchanan and Linn counties.
She served as a 4-H leader in Delaware and Buchanan counties. As a lifelong member of the Golden Church she served in many capacities, including Sunday school teacher, youth group leader and a member/officer of the Women's Fellowship and Home Builder's Club. During her 30-year tenure with the Iowa State University Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, Roberta served over 1,000 families in Linn County.
Memorials may be directed to the Golden Church Roberta Chrystal Memorial Fund (Golden Church, 2959 190th Ave., Ryan, IA 52330) or the Linn County Deputy's Association Food Basket Fund (Linn County Deputy's Association-Food Basket, Attention Sharene, PO Box 669, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406).
Condolences may be sent to the Roberta Chrystal Family, 1255 Vintage Club Dr., Johns Creek, GA 30097.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under “obituaries.”
Published Dec. 8, 2013 in The Gazette
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