Crystal Marie Jorgensen

Crystal Marie Rising Phillips passed beyond the veil on Friday June 24, 2022.

She was born on June 15, 1978 in Toledo Ohio to Robert Rising and Dorothy Mortimer Rising.

She is survived by her son Taylin Phillips of Herington, daughter Natalie Phillips of Herington as well as her former husband, father of her children and best friend Jimmy R. Phillips Jr of Herington Kansas. She is also survived by her Mother Dorothy and Stepfather Jimmy Daugherty of Lakeland Florida, and her father Robert Rising of Maumee Ohio.  She also leaves behind brothers Marc Rising of Las Vegas Nevada, Ryan Rising of Las Vegas Nevada, Shane Rising of Springville Utah, Robbie Rising of Toledo Ohio, Drake Rising of Lambertville Michigan and Aaron Rising of Rossford Ohio. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many many friends from around the world.

She is preceded in death by her Step-Brother Anthony Daugherty of Tulsa Oklahoma.

Crys spent her childhood in Las Vegas, she met her husband Jimmy there and they were married and had two children Taylin and Natalie. She enjoyed working in the Funeral Service Industry where her husband owned Valley Memorial Cremation and Burial in Henderson and Las Vegas. She thoroughly enjoyed serving others in their time of need, especially those forgotten, left behind and young. She later followed Jimmy when he joined the United States Army and they enjoyed traveling the world together with their children, including Hawaii, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, The Czech Republic, Austria, France, and The Netherlands.

In Honolulu Hawaii, Hickam Air Force Base Crys was the accountant for the Hickam Officers Club where she enjoyed serving and made many new friends. In Germany, Crys was a librarian for Moral Welfare and Recreation assigned to US Army Garrison Ansbach. She enjoyed this assignment as it combined the two passions in her life, reading and making new friends. She was greatly loved by many in the Garrison and continued lifelong friendships from her time there. Crys enjoyed the opportunity to travel and share the world with her children and encouraged them to live life as an adventure and never stop trying something new.  She happily served as a military spouse for decades supporting her heavily deployed husband with honor and commitment, as well as raising her children on her own for great amounts of time.  Crys served her country and did it well.

Crys was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She was sealed to her family for all time and eternity in the Washington DC Temple.  She thoroughly enjoyed serving her Heavenly Father  through the Bishops Storehouse distributing food to the needy.  She served in the community whenever a neighbor was in need.  Her home was always open to visiting missionaries and considered them her foster children.  Her home and dinner table was a destination of choice for home cooking, games and fun. 

Crys “belonged” to two dogs which preceded her in death. The Chinese Shar-pei, Beetle Bailey, as well as the much-loved Yorkshire Terrier, Charlie Brown.  She is survived by the Dinmont Dandy, Jade who mourns for her greatly.

Crys was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in August of 2020. She fought for two years with intense chemotherapy, radiation therapy as well as endured a double mastectomy.  The day before Crys passed beyond the veil she was adamant she was continuing to fight and would beat this cancer. She said “I don’t need Hospice, I am going to beat this and walk out of here”, that is the Crys we all knew and loved.  She absolutely never gave up, no matter how sick, miserable or downtrodden she felt.  Her friends and family lifted her high and encouraged her and we know that when she could no longer continue, our Heavenly Father picked her up and carried her further. 

Private services will be held with the family.

The family would like to voice our great appreciation to the Herington Hospital, The Legacy at Herington, Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County, Kay’s Pharmacy, Yazel-Megli Funeral Homes, First Christian Church and The Herington Post of Veterans of Foreign Wars for their outstanding care, dedication to excellence and eagerness to assist us in everything we could possibly need to help Crys and the family in this transition.  It takes more than a few houses to make a community and family is more than blood.  We humbly thank the Herington Community for their acceptance and love in these trying times.