Crystal Joyce Utke

Crystal Joyce (Severson) Utke passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the age of 96, surrounded by the love and prayers of family and friends.

Crystal was born July 10, 1929, to Jewell and Hazel Severson. She was raised in Park River, ND, graduating in 1947. She attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where she served on the college newspaper. After graduating in 1951 with a teaching degree in English, Crystal and Donald Tollefson were married in Park River, on June 29. Crystal was a teacher in Bismark until they moved to Moorhead in 1954. Their four children, Blair, Jon, Jill and James were born to this union. Later, Crystal attended Moorhead State University where she completed post graduate work for Media Generalist credentials. She then was an Elementary Librarian with Fargo Public schools, retiring in 1995.

On June 19, 1992, Reinhold Utke and Crystal were married at Trinity Lutheran Church. They were happily married for 13 years, until Reinie passed away in 2005. It was a special tradition for them to spend each anniversary in Bayfield, WI.

Crystal maintained close ties to Concordia with C-400 membership, by serving as class agent, and by serving on the Alumni board from 2009-2013.

Her faith was a strong and meaningful part of her life. As a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran church, Crystal served on church council, the Foundation board, and various committees and small groups. She was also grateful to serve with the women in her P.E.O. chapter for more than 50 years. She greatly valued her Christian faith and the treasured relationships from these experiences.

Her greatest joy was time with much loved family and friends. Sharing hospitality, enjoying theater, music and travel were favorite occurrences. She felt fortunate to have traveled twice to Norway to visit relatives.

Survivors include three children, Blair Tollefson, Raleigh, NC, Jill Swantz (Stephen) Burnsville MN, James Tollefson (Bethany) St. Cloud; five grandchildren, Samuel and Emily Swantz, and Lukas, Paul and Leah Tollefson, many nieces and nephews, and very dear friend Lloyd Gunderson. Amongst those preceding Crystal in death are her husband Reinie Utke, her brother and sister-in-law, Lyle and Kathy Severson, and son, Jon Tollefson.

Memorials may include Trinity Lutheran Church or Concordia College, Moorhead.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM, with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Final resting place will be the mausoleum at Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead.

A livestream of the service will be available here on Crystal's webpage and also at www.trinitymhd.org.