Crystal Marker

Crystal Ann (Langer) Ahrens Marker was born on the family farm in Jewell County, Kansas. She was the second of six children born to Glen and Frieda (Harkins) Langer. She attended first grade at Pleasant Valley School in Jewell County. Then she finished her schooling at Superior Public Schools. The Langer family moved to the Twin Barns farm northeast of Superior in 1943. Crystal had taken piano lessons from an early age and continued with advanced piano through high school. During her senior year, the Methodist minister's wife taught her to play the organ and she accompanied many musical programs. The summer after graduation, she played for her best friend's wedding.

Upon graduation, Crystal worked for Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph in Superior as an operator. In 1957, Crystal was married to Duane Ahrens. To this union three children were born, Julie, John and Jacqueline. In 1959, she quit the telephone company and was the first secretary for KRFS Radio, a new radio station in Superior, until 1961. In 1964, the family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, then to Alliance, Nebraska, in 1966 where Crystal worked for Dobson Dodge and Sidles Company in Alliance and Scottsbluff. In 1969, the family moved to Torrington, Wyoming, where Duane and Crystal purchased the Wyoming Automotive Company (NAPA). In 1976, they purchased land and built a cabin near Laramie Peak, Wyoming.

During her lifetime, she was active playing for weddings, funerals, fund raising events, senior citizen dances, bull sales, anniversary celebrations, dinner clubs and church services in Torrington, Wyoming, Nebraska City and Tecumseh, Nebraska. She was honored when she was asked to play for family weddings, including the weddings of her three children and one grandson.

In 1976, Crystal earned her private pilot certificate. A highlight was when she took her mother for a ride in her 182 Cessna airplane, 9001G, "up and around the patch" at Superior. During her flying career, she became an active member of the International 99's, and Wyoming Women Pilots Association of 99's. Formed in 1929 by 99 original charter members including Amelia Earhart, the purpose is to further the role of women in aviation. Cross county fight experience was encouraged through endorsement of air races. Among local actives were breakfast fly ins, spot landing contests, penny-a-pound flights, efficiency races and air shows, flying safari's air tours, poker runs and treasure hunts. In 1979, the 99's volunteered to give 32 students and their teachers from the School of the Deaf an airplane ride over Casper, Wyoming. The Wyoming chapter also repainted airport runways in the state.

In 1983, her marriage to Duane dissolved. Crystal married Ronald Marker in 1994. She worked for Dr. France at France Chiropractic, Goshen County Courthouse, Pamida and Subway. After retirement, in 2005, Crystal moved to Tecumseh. During retirement, she worked part-time at Johnson County Schools as an aid, in the clubhouse at the Tecumseh Country Club and played organ for the Lutheran Church Praise Band.

Crystal died peacefully at Gold Crest Retirement Center at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother ,Joe; sister, Frona; and husband, Ronald Marker.

She is survived by her children, Julie (Dan) Holgate, John (Brenda) Ahrens, and Jacqueline (Bill) Baird; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 20, in Superior, at Price Funeral Home with internment at Evergreen Cemetery, Superior. A memorial has been established to the Laramie Peak Fire Zone. Condolences to http://www.pricefuneralhomes.com.