Stanley H. Crist

Stanley Crist passed away peacefully on August 12, 2016. He was 99.

He was born in Jeffers, MN, and lived most of his adult life in Minneapolis. He was a World War II veteran, serving in New York City (where he met his future wife, Navy WAVES member Esther Pederson, at a Lutheran church service) and at the Pacific front aboard the PT Tender “Orestes.” 

He had a life-long interest in horticulture and maintained extensive gardens at Westwood Lutheran Church and RidgePoint in Minneapolis. He served as a Master Gardener in Hennepin County, MN, since the inception of the program, and was also a Master Gardener in Calcasieu Parish. He served in various capacities at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. He organized and served as first president of the then-called Minnesota Association for Retarded Children, now called The Arc. He was an active volunteer for the Banners Arts and Humanities Series at McNeese State University during the series’ early years.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Richardson of Lake Charles and her husband, Joseph, and Lorraine Crist of Waseca, MN; one son, Donald Crist of Minneapolis; two grandchildren, Andrew Richardson of Lake Charles and his wife, Jennifer, and Christopher Richardson of Kennett Square, PA and his wife, Melissa; and two great-grandchildren, Maxine and Marceline Richardson of Kennett Square.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents at The Verandah for their many kindnesses, Heart of Hospice staff for their compassion, and Teresa Drake for her steadfast help.

A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 12 noon on Monday, August 15, 2016.   The Very Reverend Jack Myers and Mother Boo Kay will officiate.   A reception in Hardtner Hall will immediately follow the services.  Mr. Crist will be interred with military honors at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home. 

Memorials may be made to the Organ Restoration Fund at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 715 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, LA  70601.