Jean M. Childs

Jean Marilyn Childs, age 91, of Lake Crystal, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Living Meadows, Madelia, MN.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal, MN. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church, prior to the service. Burial will be at Cambria Cemetery. Lake Crystal Mortuary assisted the family with the arrangements.

Jean was born on August 30, 1933, at home in rural Elk River, MN to Charles H. & Beulah A. (Daley) Howard. When she was young, her family moved to Lake Crystal & lived close to Loon Lake. In high school Jean worked at Meier’s Drive Inn and sometimes walked the few miles to work. She graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1951, along with her high school sweetheart, Stan Childs. Stan and Jean were married on March 28, 1952, at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal. They were blessed with 4 children: Debbie, Jeff, Diane, and Karen. Jean was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church where she served on several committees, belonged to Martha Circle and sang in the church choir for over 50 years. Jean worked as a nurse’s aide at the Lake Crystal Nursing Home for many years. Her favorite things to do were fishing, playing cards, playing Bunco and loved watching the Twins and Vikings games.

Jean is survived by her children, Debbie (Paul) Campbell, Jeff (Audrey) Childs, Diane Klinkner and Karen (Scott) Johnston; grandchildren, Lisa (Harold) Rasmussen-Blew, Stacey (Ben) Wenner, Natalie Ingle, Tara Ivers, Carrie (Owen) Ivers, Kyle (Jill) Klinkner, Sara (Jeff) Klinkner, Michael Johnston and Travis Johnston; great-grandchildren, Megan and Lauren Rasmussen, Jacob Tullis and Henry Wenner, Lily Ingle, Gretchen, Reagan and Nolan Ivers, and Jack (Suzette) and Eden Ivers; sister, Carol Jones; sister-in-law, Kathy Howard; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dean & Esther Childs; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Charles, and Beulah Howard; her husband, Stan; her sisters, Vi Gilbertson and Anita Marohn; brother, Chuck Howard, sisters-in-law, Maxine Cutler and Darlene Dumke; and grandsons-in-law, Bob Rasmussen and Robert Ingle.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.