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Crystal Austin Obituary
Reid Austin
Feb. 28, 1980 to July 17, 2009
Loving wife and mother, daughter and sister, Crystal Reid Austin passed away unexpectedly Friday morning, July 17, 2009. The business reporter for the Bismarck Tribune made her livelihood with words, but made friendships with her smile and zest for life.
A 2006 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha and editor of UNO's student newspaper, The Gateway, Crystal rose to local prominence with her work as a reporter with the Bismarck Tribune and managing editor of Business Watch magazine. Her work at the Trib gained her the coveted Associated Press Arthur F. Burns Fellowship, which included two months working with the AP in Berlin, Germany. She also received numerous journalism awards in Nebraska and North Dakota.
Crystal was extremely active in the local Bismarck-Mandan community. She was the current vice president of the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network and received the 2008 Teddy Roosevelt Award for Persistence from the organization. She was also a 2008 Bismarck-Mandan Leadership graduate. Additionally, Crystal founded and was the director of Capitol Shakespeare, one of her proudest contributions to Bismarck-Mandan.
Crystal, a world traveler, was born in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 28, 1980, and during her short life lived in the Philippines, Germany, England and seven US states. She was the Department of Defense Dependent School System European Women's Tennis Champion in 1998, and twice selected to participate in the Model United Nations program in The Hague, The Netherlands.
A loving wife and mother, Crystal is survived by her husband, Rod Austin, whom she married here in Bismarck on July 11, 2009. She was fiercely protective of Rod's children and reveled in her role as a mother to them. Other surviving family include her parents, Frank and Brenda Reid; her sister, Anneliese Reid, Plattsmouth, Neb.; her grandmother, Nedra Schore, Tacoma, Wash.; her aunt and uncle, Debbie and Michael Bean, and her cousin, Nicole Bean, Yorba Linda, Calif.; her aunt, Shawn Reid and her uncle, Jeffery Reid, Virgin, Utah; Michael Schore family, Raleigh, N.C., and Richard Schore family, Tiffin, Ohio.
Arrangements are through Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at the Bismarck Elks Lodge, 900 S. Washington St., Bismarck, with a continuing celebration of Crystal's life and a gathering of friends into the evening. Light refreshments will be provided.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Crystal Reid Austin Memorial Fund via the Capital Credit Union, PO Box 2096, Bismarck, ND 58502-2096, (701) 255-0042 or 1-800-735-6922 and the funds will be distributed to Crystal's favorite charities.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Crystal Austin
Deanna Proud
August 10, 2009
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Crystal. My deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends. Although I did not know Crystal, I read about her and saw her picture, and know that she was taken way too early. I have lost family members to veds also. I sympathize with everyone whose lives were touched by Crystal. May she rest in peace.
Cathy Bowen
August 8, 2009
I just now learned that Crystal lost her life...I'm so deeply saddened and my heart goes out to her family and friends. I never met her in person, but we shared a very special moment when I accidently came across her 2007 online article where some were ridiculing her for writing this article concerning her resent hospitalization due to her genetic disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome(EDS) Vascular Type instead of business news. I was totally appalled and posted a reply in her defense. She found me on the Vascular EDS support group and wrote me a beautiful thank you for coming to her aid and defending her story. We also shared a another connection with this disorder, as my 14 year old David also had it. He wasn't diagnosis until it was to late..3 days before his death at 14 years old. Crystal did touch my life briefly, and I'm thankful for that...plus I finally saw a picture of her and she was truly beautiful.. inside and out. I so sad that now her family has to endure such a profound loss. I know their anguish, please know you have my deepest sympathy.
Tanya Lawrence
August 4, 2009
I just happened to be looking at the UNO Gatway newspaper and came across the sad news. I met Crystal through a mutual friend many years ago. Crystal was very nice person. I can't believe she's gone.
My heart goes out to her family
Carol Schrader
August 3, 2009
Stumbled onto a story about Crystal while on the UNO Gateway website looking for advertising info. I was moved by the story the Gateway ran about her. That compelled me to look up more stories as it was clear that her brief life was worth noting even though my only connection would be as a UNO j-grad and former Gateway staffer form the early '70's. What a blessing she must of been to those who knew her. My deepest sympathy to her family, friends and co-workers.
maria silvani`
July 27, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Emily Thomas
July 25, 2009
I'm so sorry to hear what happened to Crystal. She was a sweetheart, and it was a privilege to know her. She will be fondly remembered and missed!
Anonymous
July 23, 2009
Crystal was a wonderful role model and amazing woman! Her time on this earth was cut short.
I am so sorry for everyone's loss. She was a dynamic young woman who had a heart of gold! Let's let her legacy and memories not be sad, but one's that reflect her greatness! Crystal will be forever missed.
God Bless Everyone!
Johanna Johnson
July 23, 2009
Crystal was a dynamic and amazing woman! She lived her life, as an earth-like Angel would. Always giving of herself.
May God know how much she was valued as a person, a wife, and a role model for her husband's children.
May her family and friends keep her vivid, wonderful spirit alive!
God Bless Everyone who is dealing with this tragic loss, may God provide peace in your hearts, and know she is now a true Angel looking over all that she loved and those who loved her!
Rick & Merry Hadfield
July 22, 2009
Crystal was a part of our family for a couple of years before she moved to North Dakota. We enjoyed her company at Christmas and birthdays when her parents lived so far away at the time and missed her when she moved. We were extremely shocked and saddened to hear of her sudden passing.Condolences
to her family. She was an amazing person and will not be forgotten.
Guy Rocco
July 22, 2009
I was in North Dakota on business last week and read the heart-rendering remarks by Crystal's co-workers and it just broke my heart. I just want to say how sorry I am for your loss- it's just horrible.
July 21, 2009
Dear Rod and family,
How shocked and saddened I was to hear that Crystal had suddenly and very unexpectedly passed away. She was a very compassionate, vibrant and sweet young lady. My dad judged well when he rented the other half of his duplex to you. I'm so sorry for your loss. Mary Haunson
July 21, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We enjoyed her spark, energy and determination to be the best. She inspired us all.
The Bismarck USTA 2.5 Tennis League team of Juanita Clayton, Lori Hinz, Laurie Metzger, Ilene Brackin, Pat Franke and Jen Jorgenson.
Sonya
July 21, 2009
One would have to be living in a box to not see the impact this young lady has had on ppl. You can tell a lot about her just by reading all the inspiring posts and comments. She must be an amazing person, wife, mom daughter and friend. I shed a tear and I know her only through her column. So sad that she had just been married. I have experienced similiar pain, having lost a son, so my heart is breaking for this family and especially the kids she held so close to her heart. When Someone We Love Becomes A Memory.....The Memories Become A Treasure.
Jack McDonald
July 21, 2009
My prayers and sympathies to Rod and his family, and to Crystal's Nebraska family. She was a bright, vivacious and vibrant person who will be missed by all. I remember when she would ask me legal questions, she was always direct and to the point. A very good reporter.
Jenny (Michael) Schlecht
July 21, 2009
Rod, Rodney, Aila, Frank, Brenda and Anneliese:
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Crystal was an amazing friend and coworker. Her writing inspired me, almost as much as her ability to accomplish anything she put her mind to doing. I know I am a better person for having known and worked with Crystal.
I read once that those we love can never truly be gone as long as we remember them. And so Crystal will always be with us, as none of us will ever forget the impact she had on our lives.
May you find peace in the memories of Crystal and the knowledge that she lived life on her terms.
July 21, 2009
To Crystal's family, old and new:
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. I worked with Crystal at the Trib and, no matter how cranky I was, she was always sweet and well-mannered.
At times like this, it can be very hard to see "The Plan," but we can all be happy to have known her. She touched us all with her caring, energy and love of life.
Derri Scarlett and Pete Hatfield, Bismarck, North Dakota
Brenda Weinberger
July 20, 2009
I never new Crystal personally but only by her colunm in the Bismarck Tribune. I just wanted to offer my condolences to her family, friends and co-workers. She will be missed by all.
Jerry Roberts
July 20, 2009
Crystal was a bright, vivacious caring woman who loved life. I had the honor of training and working with her at Taxi 9000. She will be missed by all of us. My heart and prayers go out to her husband his children and the rest of her family.
Kathryn Austin
July 20, 2009
Crystal and I shared a common bond, and that was the fact that we were both moms to the same two wonderful children. Crystal may have been a "step-mom," but she was far from the evil step-mom you read of in fairy tales. I honestly can say she loved the children just as much as I did and they loved her just as much as she loved them. I would like to offer a few memories that the kids related to me: (this is from Aila our 5 year old daughter) "Dad, Mom & Brian can be mean, but Crystal is always nice and she never yells, except when she wants me to eat my dinner." My son (age 8) was so very proud to be the ring bearer at the recent wedding and when he came back from the wedding he came bursting through the door and said "Mom, I lost the ring at the beginning of the wedding but Crystal helped me find it." He was so proud to have gotten to be the ring bearer. Words seem to fail me at this moment, because I know what a huge loss this is for my children, but I want everyone to know that she was the most amazing mother in the world and the children and I just feel so blessed that she was a part of their lives. Thanks for all of your prayers for the children and Rod during this difficult time. (To Crystal: you were an amazing, amazing mother, and we will never forget you.)
Denise Evans
July 20, 2009
Crystal and my nephew were close when she lived here in Omaha and she was at many family functions. She was a kind young lady and we thought highly of her. Our family missed her when she moved from Omaha, but we understood need to pursue her ambitions. I'd like to extend my condolences to her new husband and children. May God give you strength during this difficult time.
Dawn Smart
July 20, 2009
Rod, I am so sorry for our loss. Crystal was a wonderful woman. She will be greatly missed.
Frank Hoag
July 19, 2009
I am a friend of Crystal's father through CFF. I am so sorry for your loss and pray that God will sustain you through your grief.
John & Marie Fridell
July 19, 2009
We only met Crystal once, on the occasion of her Grandmother Bean's Memorial service in Yorba Linda, California. She was one of the sweetest, caring persons we had ever met and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Vicky Weiss
July 19, 2009
I am so saddened at the loss of Crystal. She was a wonderful person to work with each day. She was such a vibrant person and lived life to the fullest, no matter what. I'll miss her deeply and pray for her family.
Patrick Reem
July 19, 2009
Deeply saddened at Crystal's passing. Only knew her through riding cab where she was my favorite driver for Taxi 9000. She was a truly nice and genuinely sincere person. I always hoped during my waits for the cab that Crystal would be my driver. Now my waits will be filled with sadness knowing that we had our last ride together.
Amanda Brady
July 19, 2009
Crystal will always be in my heart. She was such a encouraging, supportive person and a great mentor.
She'll be missed deeply,
White Lace Bridal
July 19, 2009
How overwhelmingly saddened we were at the shocking news of Crystals death. Our hearts and prayers go out to Rod, the children, her parents, sister and all those whose lives were touched by her.
Sue S.
July 18, 2009
My heart was broken when I read the Bis-Trib story about Crystal. I met Crystal in tennis league and was fortunate enough to see her interact with her family. I am sad beyond words.
Kate Herzog
July 18, 2009
Words can sometimes fail us at moments that are overwhelming and feelings take over.
Crystal was always the person who would embrace the new kid at work or in town and give them a ready made support system. Someone who was a cut above, unique, vulnerable, intense, driven, caring, supportive, approachable, and fun. The quality of Crystal's friendship was unmatched. The warmth of her personality unrivaled. The depths of her commitment never ending. And the loss of her yesterday forever painful.
Thinking about her family.
Miss you...
Marilyn Henke
July 18, 2009
I just read todays Tribune and am very sorry for your loss. I didn't know her but feel a connection through reading her stories. I just read about her wedding and enjoyed that personal story. Two of our kids are about her age so I'm very sad for the loss you must feel. I will miss her in the Tribune.
Randall and Becky
July 18, 2009
Crystal was a friendly individual who took great pride in what she did. It was a pleasure to have known her and to have been able to work with her at Taxi. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family in their time of need and sorrow.
Jean Schmidt
July 18, 2009
I never met Crystal but read her column every Sunday, and felt like I knew her. I loved the wedding column. My heart goes out to all her knew personally especially Rod and his kids. Keep her memories close to your heart and you always remember her smile.
July 18, 2009
Rod,
I was so sorry to hear about Crystal. She was truly one of the sweetest people I know. She will be greatly missed. Her smile made my days working with her so much brighter and you and the kids made her so happy.
Clarissa
Steve Wallick
July 18, 2009
Crystal was dedicated to her craft and it rubbed off on others in the newsroom. She was fun to work with and always ready to tackle a story. Our thoughts go out to Rod and her family. She'll be greatly missed.
Taxi 9000
July 18, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We will miss Crystal, the thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
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