Mass of Christian Burial for Crystal Stassen, 98, of Tracy, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 16, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be Sunday, April 15, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at the Life Remembrance Center – Horvath Funeral Service in Tracy. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tracy.
Crystal Leona (Johnson) Stassen was born on February 10, 1920, in Swede Prairie Township in southwest Minnesota to Lewis and Laura (Froland) Johnson. She graduated from Marshall High School and worked at Stones Ready to Wear and as a Receptionist for Dr. W.W. Yaeger in Marshall.
On September 13, 1943, while Donald Stassen was in the service at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, the couple was united in marriage in St. Louis. Crystal continued working for Dr. Yaeger while Don served his country in Europe during World War II. After Don’s service, the couple moved to Granite Falls where Don apprenticed as a photographer for Alf Ringsven. Crystal became a member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church and daughters Judith Ann and Patricia Jo were born in Granite Falls. In March of 1949, the family moved to Tracy, MN. They purchased what became “Stassen Photography,” a business serving the Tracy Area for countless weddings, school and other photos through the years. Crystal took some oil painting classes so she could colorize the photographs. During 1951, David, a bouncing baby boy was born. While living in Tracy, Crystal was very involved in the community with many organizations including St. Mary’s Catholic Church and CCW Guilds at Mission Group, the Tracy Country Club, Police Commission and Charter Commission, Norwest Bank (later Tracy State Bank) where she served on the Board of Directors, the United Fund (Chair for 13 years) Tracy Hospital Auxiliary Board and Scholarship Committee and several bridge clubs. Crystal was very social. She enjoyed playing golf and bridge, reading, and walking daily. She also loved spending time with her family and friends. She was very independent and will be remembered for her great sense of humor.
Crystal died Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. She is survived by her children Judy (and Frank) McGuinn of Aurora, CO, David (and Kathy) Stassen of Naples, FL; son-in-law Don Lies of Savage, MN; grandchildren Matt McGuinn, Melissa Scully, Zachary Stassen, Betsy McCain, Ellen Lanning, Todd Lies and Andrew Lies; great-grandchildren Meghan, Colin, Paige, Aidan, Brendan, Carter, Parker, Miller, Avery, Lucas, Lucy and Bennett; one sister DeNeen Thomas; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Don, mother, father, stepfather, two brothers, three sisters and daughter, Patricia Lies.
Crystal was a wonderful, caring, funny, loving mother and grandmother. She was much loved and will be missed. Her memories will all come back with a smile.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Mary’s School or Hospice of Murray County designated to Our House of Tracy.
Arrangements with Life Remembrance Center of Tracy, Horvath Funeral Service www.lrcmn.com