Kirsti P. Crawley

Kirsti P. Crawley Kirsti Crawley passed away suddenly May 7, 2011 at the age of 86. She was born September 16, 1924 to Martin and Annie Fundaun in Nevis, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved siblings, Myrtle, Gladys, Iver and her husband of 54 years, Chester A. Crawley. She is survived by her brother, Arlie Fundaun; her children, Kristi Van Tuyl (Neil), Chester Crawley (Marcia), Martin Crawley (Patty), Carol Zilko (Mike); nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews in MN. As a young woman in the 1940's, she joined the FAA and was stationed in Nome, Alaska, where she met and married Chester. Upon their return from Alaska, they resided in Henderson, KY. She worked as a controller at the Evansville, Indiana airport. As government service employees, she and her husband led interesting and exciting lives in England, Arlington, VA, Hawaii, Iran and Sierra Vista, AZ. Mom retired as a flight dispatcher at Fort Huachuca, AZ in the 1970's. She and her husband moved to Tucson, spending their retirement traveling the world. Mom was a bush pilot as a young woman and loved flying. She enjoyed talking about the places she had been, her flying adventures, discussing history and politics, reading and watching the news, and visiting with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many friends of her grandchildren called her "grandmother" and loved her as a grandmother. Mom was generous, funny and sharp-witted; her absence will leave a void in the lives of all who loved her. We believe she is with loved ones that have passed on, and we who survive her are grateful for the long life the Lord gave her to be with us. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at Northwest Community Church, 505 W. Hardy Rd., Tucson, AZ. Internment of her remains will be with her husband, Chester, in Henderson, KY. A service will also be held in Nevis, MN, at the family farm's private cemetery. Arrangements by DESERT ROSE CREMATION AND BURIAL.