Obituary of Chrystal Faye Townsend

Chrystal Faye Parsons, was born October 30, 1928.  She grew up in the Killduff community with her twelve brothers and sisters.  She was a member of the Killduff Methodist Church.  She moved to Newton to stay with her Grandmother Parsons, and graduated from the Newton High School in 1947.

Chris married Bob Townsend, whom she met at the roller skating rink.  They were great skaters together.  To this marriage, three children were born: Barb, Bill and Brenda.  They made their life in the Kellogg community, getting involved in many community activities.  They were members of the Kellogg Methodist Church, where they helped build a new addition to the church.

Chrystal was treasurer of the Kellogg Cemetery board for thirty years.  She and Bob enjoyed spending time at the cemetery, fixing broken stones and cleaning up brush.  Bob and Chris were also active at the Kellogg Park, cleaning up brush and obtaining new playground equipment.  They also took many wonderful trips together.

They sold their home and moved in to Newton Village in 2022, after living in Kellogg for sixty-eight years.

Chris died on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Newton Village Healthcare Center in Newton, Iowa.  She was 96 years old.  She was preceded in death by her parents; and nine of her brothers and sisters.

Those left to honor Chris’s memory include her children, Barbara Stuart, William (Margie) Townsend, and Brenda Aldrich; her seven grandchildren; her fourteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; her two brothers, Hollis Parsons and Wendall Parsons; a sister, Bonnie Bessman; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 24, 2025, at the Pence Reese Funeral Home.  A Facebook Live broadcast will begin at 11:00 a.m. on the funeral home Facebook page.  The family will greet friends on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Memorials may be designated to Our Silent City Cemetery and may be left at the funeral home.