Chrystal Carol (Anderson) Even

Chrystal was born on December 2, 1927, to Hjalmer and Amelia Anderson in Wilmot, South Dakota, and she was claimed as God’s beloved child at her baptism as a baby at Wilmot Lutheran Church. She learned well how to love and be loved from her parents and seven siblings, as well as a large and close extended family. The family farmed, and took family and others into their home when needed – her mother’s phrase was, “If there’s heart room, there’s house room.”

Chrystal learned a strong, steady faith from her family and modeled faithfulness for the family she raised. Always present were prayer and scripture, patience and generosity, hospitality and forgiveness, and worship and rootedness in a faith community.

As a child, she was a good student and was advanced a grade in her small four-room schoolhouse in order to be of help to her older brother.

The family lost the South Dakota farm during the Depression, and eventually moved to Great Falls, Montana while she was in high school. A few years after the move, her father died in a road construction accident. Chrystal worked as a movie usher and as a clerk at Montgomery Wards while a high school student and after.

She met William Even, from the family down the street, when he returned from service in World War II. She wanted to meet the one she’d heard about – his family had received news of his death on the battlefield, and then days later, news that he had been found alive. Chrystal and Bill were married in 1947 and were married for almost 66 years.

They had two children, William Jr. and Karen. Chrystal also parented three foster children, and welcomed her mother and other family members into her home when it was needed. She remained close with her family, especially her sisters, nieces and nephews. No one in her family could ever doubt how well she loved them – her love was clear, in words and actions. Later, Chrystal worked at McDonald’s for a number of years, mentoring the teens with whom she worked. She was active in Our Savior and Good Shepherd Lutheran churches in Salt Lake City, participating in women’s circles and serving on the Altar Guild. She also enjoyed playing card games of all types with family and friends - solitaire, cribbage, pinochle, and bridge. She could keep up with the contestants on Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, did jigsaw puzzles without looking at the pictures, and would create crochet doilies without patterns or even looking at her work.

Chrystal was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill), her parents, and her siblings. She is remembered with great love by her children William (Christa) and Karen (Jim) Maynard; brother-in-law Mike Russotto; nieces and nephews, especially Michelle Poyner, Margy Russotto, Mark (Akiko) Russotto, Debra Adams, Laura (Rod) Cabato, Delroy (Jennifer) Scott; grandchildren Erica (Adam) Gibson-Even, Joel (Leah) Even, Jordan (Stephanie) Even, Myles (Nikki) Maynard, and Forrest (Mirielle) Maynard; great-grandchildren Daniel, Lena, Hunter, Michael, Lexi, Jonathan, and Sophia; many great-nieces and nephews; and her beloved caregiver, Monica Medina.

Interment will be on Saturday, February 14, 10:00 am, at Memorial Mountain View Cemetary (3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121), followed by a service at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (8575 S 700 E, Sandy, UT 84094).