Crystal Lynn McDonald was a beautiful, exciting and fun-loving woman. She was born September 16, 1959 to Bob & Avice (Blew) Stanton in Logan, Kansas and she met her Heavenly Father on June 7, 2011, at the young age of 51.

She grew up and attended schools in Logan, Kansas, graduating from Logan High School with the class of 1977. On February 24, 1979, she wed Jim McDonald, her life partner for the next 32 years. Together they raised a son, Robert, and a daughter, Elizabeth.

Crystal valued higher learning and education, earning her Associates degree from Colby Community College, followed by a Bachelors degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City, and finally, a Specialist of Education in School Psychology from Kansas University in Lawrence. She was still attending classes at Fort Hays State, as well as teaching courses for Colby Community College just prior to her death.

Crystal was employed by the North Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative
for 18 years and worked in eight different schools during this time. She made immeasurable changes in the lives of many students and their families for the better. Her passion for helping children, especially those with special needs, was evident in her interactions with them. She was filled with patience, understanding and compassion, and went out of her way everyday to show them love.

Her hobbies included reading, learning and spending time with family and her many, many friends. She loved to travel, including some great trips overseas, long weekend vacations, and camping. Crystal spent hours playing cards and board games. Basketball season was a favorite time of year for her, watching KU games and cheering for her Jayhawks.

In addition to being a wife, Mom, grandmother, teacher & mentor, Crystal was a member of the Logan United Methodist Church, she served on the board for CASA, and was the SIT Chairperson of the Logan Preschool Board.

She had a brilliant smile and turquoise eyes that always looked on the bright side; a witty sense of humor and love of laughter; and an adventurous spirit who lived life to its fullest. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her, until she's reunited in Heaven with her family and all her "Kiddos" (her nickname for the many children she helped every day.)

An infant son, Jason, and infant daughter, Megan, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her parents, Bob & Avice Stanton of Logan; her husband, Jim, of the home in Logan; her son, Robert & wife, Lora, of Madison, KS and daughter, Elizabeth Schemper & husband, Josh, of Prairie View, KS; a sister, Judy Stanton of Logan; and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 10, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in the Logan United Methodist Church with Rev. Delbert Stanton and Rev. Dean Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.

Visitation will be Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Logan Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. that evening.

Memorial contributions may be given to Logan School Special Education or CASA