Christal Yancy

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 914 NW Ash Drive, Ankeny, Iowa, 50023. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow.

Christal Rose Bruehahn Yancy was born on April 21, 1952, to Eugene and Caroline Bell Kinsel Bruehahn in McGregor, Iowa. She graduated from Oelwein High School in 1970 and received a college certificate from Area I-Calmar in 1971.

Chris married Donald Thomas "Tom" Yancy on June 1, 1973, in Stanley, Iowa. They enjoyed life and loving each other for over 52 years. They were blessed with their son, Patrick "PJ". When PJ started his own family, Chris welcomed his children, Caitlin and Brendan, and his wife, Amanda, with open arms. She loved her family fiercely, and love was always at the forefront of their lives.

She worked for The Reminder in Calmar in 1971 and the Oelwein Daily Register from 1972–1973. In 1986, she started at Equitable (now ING) Investments where she was a valuable employee for over 20 years. 1993 saw many changes, Chris was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) after years of appointments and tests. She didn't let the diagnosis change who she was, even with the challenges it brought.

Chris was strong in her faith at Resurrection Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, needlepoint, and history. She loved flowers and knew the meaning of each one, believing flowers have a language all their own. One of her favorite pastimes was collecting Snoopy memorabilia and figurines. She would always find a place for new ones, adding to her vast collection.

A Message of Love

She was known for her abundance of love, never shying away from expressing it. She leaves this final piece of her love and knowledge for all of you to carry on in memory:

"People tend to judge and 'nit-pick' far too often. Never slowing down to take time for each other, always 'going to' get together but so often throwing it aside for something like money or something money can buy. What are we looking for in life? LOVE! So slow down, don't let love slip through your fingers. Take the time to care about someone else!"

Those left to cherish her memory and carry on her love are her husband, Tom; son, PJ (Amanda); grandchildren: Caitlin and Brendan; and siblings: Janine and Elaine.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Richard Bruehahn.

Her favorite quote was:

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” — James M. Barrie (the creator of Peter Pan)