Crystal Alvina Chepulis

Crystal A. Chepulis, 84 of Park River, formerly of Churchs Ferry, ND died on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at the Park River Hospital. Funeral Services for Crystal will be held on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Churchs Ferry, ND with Rev. Jeff Johnson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service in the Zion church. Music will be provided by Mary Dawn Sorum, soloist and Doris Michaels, organist. Burial will be in the spring in the Leeds Cemetery. A time of sharing and prayer will be held on Sunday, January 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Park River. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Music will be provided by Darla Sheldon, pianist and Joel and Lorrie Hylden, vocalists. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Crystal’s Grandsons, Jess Kelly, Jayse Wharam, Chris Wharam, Jack Kelly and James Kelly and Crystal’s Grandsons-in-law, Dylan Miller and Eric Opland. Crystal A. Johnson was born to Christian H. Johnson and Agnes Monson Johnson on December 28, 1926 at Leeds, North Dakota. Crystal was baptized at the Leeds Lutheran Church and was confirmed at Antiochia Lutheran Church, rural Churchs Ferry. She went to school at Leeds country school and also attended school in Penn, ND. Crystal was united in marriage to Stanley V. Chepulis on October 28, 1943 at Cando, ND. Crystal and Stanley farmed side by side in the Churchs Ferry area for over 50 years. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary at Zion Lutheran Church in 1993, retired from farming in 1996 and moved to Park River. Stanley passed away on December 22, 2000. Crystal continued to make Park River her home until her death. Crystal was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. Crystal was a devoted wife and mother who cared for her family in so many ways. She loved to bake and do needlework and share those special treasures with her family and friends. And there was nothing better than a good conversation with family, friends and neighbors. Crystal is survived by her two loving daughters, Elnore Christine “Noanie” and her husband, Dan L. Kelly of Grand Forks and Verna Ann “Vernie” and her husband, Glen A. Wharam of Park River; grandchildren, Jess (Brenda) Kelly, Andrea (Eric) Kelly-Opland, Jack Kelly, James Kelly; Jayse (Beth) Wharam, Chris (Julie) Wharam and Ashley (Dylan) Wharam-Miller; seventeen great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Judy Johnson of Mesa, Arizona and Marion Chepulis of Fargo, ND. Crystal was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stanley; step-father, Tore Rekkedal and brother Donald L. Johnson.