Crystal Martell, 83, died on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at her home in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, August 18, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Gerald Noesen presiding. Burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery in Terrebonne, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Sunday evening and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Crystal Mae Malwitz was born on November 9, 1924 in Red Lake County, MN, the daughter of Emil and Myrtle (Greenwald) Malwitz. She attended Country school and High School in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Crystal was united in marriage to Francis Martell on February 11, 1941 in Gentilly, MN. Following their marriage the couple lived in Red Lake County, before moving to Yakima, WA. Crystal and Francis moved back to Red Lake County and purchased a farm east of Red Lake Falls. They moved into Red Lake Falls 3 ½ years ago. Crystal worked at Theroux Caf as a cook, at the Red Lake Falls Hospital as a Nurses Aid, Arctic Cat from 1969-1981, and Hillcrest Nursing Home for 18 years, until retirement.

She enjoyed dancing, going to rummage sales, and performing skits to entertain people. She was a member of the Red Hats Society of Red Lake Falls, Plummer American Legion Auxiliary,Plummer Senior Citizen Club and a life member of the VFW Auxiliary, Crookston. Tom Bruers came to live with Crystal and Fritz to finish High School and has been a close family friend since.

She is survived by her husband Fritz Francis A. Martell of Red Lake Falls, MN; 12 children: Jay (special friend Debbie) Martell, Gillette, WY, Warren Martell, Shakopee, MN, Gary Martell, Greenville, SC, Joyce (LeRoy) Christenson, Red Lake Falls, MN, Darrell (Barb) Martell, Red Lake Falls, MN, Janet (Dan) Vigstol, Cedar, MN, Bob (Deb) Martell, St. Hilaire, MN, Ray (special friend Janell) Martell, Red Lake Falls, MN, Doug (Mary) Martell, Thief River Falls, MN, Theresa (Jay) Avelsgaard, Mentor, MN, Tom Martell, Bismarck, ND, Donna (special friend Scott) Besserud, Edina, MN, daughter in law, Peggy (Bob) Orrock, Becker, MN, 41 grandchildren; 71 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; brother, John (Colleen) Malwitz, Red Lake Falls, MN, 1 sister Lila (LeRoy) Brekke, Mesa, AZ, 2 sister in laws Doris Malwitz, Plummer, MN and Fern Bennett Spokane, WA ; Tom Bruers of Ranier, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by 1 son Louis Martell, 1 daughter Mary Hendrickson, parents, Emil and Myrtle Malwitz, 2 grandsons, Christopher and Shawn; 3 great grandsons, David, Daniel and Carson; 2 brothers, Willard Malwitz, Kenny Malwitz, 1 sister, Fern Hesse.