Louise Woodworth Crist Prell, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully early Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA.
She was born December 22, 1933, in Evanston, IL, to C. Francis Crist and Alice Woodworth Crist.
Louise graduated from Northwestern University in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in speech. She taught second grade in Itasca, IL, and married George Alan Prell on July 2, 1958. They moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1960, and had their first three children: Wendy Prell Danbury, Taylor Woodworth Prell, and Christopher Alan Prell; they moved to Tustin, CA, where they had Marjorie (Maggie) Prell Wheeler. Louise and George found a home close to good schools and their chosen church, Trinity United Presbyterian.
Louise was active in family life, enriching her children’s lives through reading aloud, traveling, making art, singing, visiting museums and zoos, and helping with homework.
She and George took many summer road trips to the Midwest with all four children in the station wagon, singing songs, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, playing license plate games, enjoying the scenery, moo-ing at cows, and visiting relatives in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois.
She was an active church member, teaching Sunday School, directing musical productions, playing flute in the church orchestra, helping set up the Samaritan Care Center, volunteering time and household goods to the Refugee Resettlement Committee, and teaching English as a second language through the Laubach Literacy program.
She served as Treasurer for the Forest Home Women’s Auxiliary, and for many years she served as the head volunteer for Opera Pacific, organizing volunteers who raised money, provided transportation for opera stars, and increased awareness and appreciation of opera in Orange County, CA.
All who knew her remember her sweet, generous nature.
Louise is survived by her four children; grandchildren, Jordan, Leanna, Sean, James, Colin and Aidan; and great-grandson, Benjamin.
Family, friends, and others whose lives were touched by Louise are invited to a memorial service at West Liberty Methodist Church, Fulton, KS, on Saturday, March 30, at 11:00 AM, followed by a graveside ceremony at West Liberty Cemetery.
Louise’s ashes will be interred beside those of her beloved husband, George, who had spent many summers at the Taylor family farm across the road, near the final resting place of his parents, Callie Taylor Prell and Edward Prell, and of his aunt and uncle, Alma Taylor Benedict and Henry Benedict, who were longtime residents of the Fort Scott area.
A luncheon reception will follow immediately back at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to World Vision International. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com. Local arrangements are being handled by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.