Crystal Balek

Crystal Balek, 38, of Warren, MN, left behind both the joys and sufferings of this life on April 11, 2026. She is now enjoying a life that never ends, worshiping the Lord and awaiting her loved ones' reunion one day.

Crystal Diane Johnson was born on June 25, 1987, in Park River, ND, to DeWayne and Gwen (Larson) Johnson. Raised with her older sister, Bethany, Crystal graduated from the local high school in 2006. She attended NDSCS in Wahpeton and earned her Associated degree in Dental Hygiene. She moved back to her hometown and worked for Park River Dental: her first real job remained her only place of employment- she never wanted to work anywhere else for over a decade, even renewing her license last December so she could get back to the job she held dear. Crystal so enjoyed her dentists, her coworkers, and (most importantly) her clients.

It was one of these clients, Aaron Balek, who would first charm her, then run into her by chance in Minneapolis. Described as being in the “light” at the end of a literal Light Rail tunnel, the two reconnected and remained together until the end. They were married on May 4, 2012, and upon Crystal's intuition, moved into a house Aaron felt comfortable repairing in Warren. Despite the long drive to work every day, Warren was truly her “home.” The house was full of her touch and vision, with innumerable ideas still in the works to make it just right.

It was in this home that Crystal and Aaron welcomed three children. Crystal was a beautiful mother whose comfort and care were palpable. If anyone asked how she was, she was quick to turn it back, caring more for the other's response than her own. This trait became all the more poignant when she received a breast cancer diagnosis that seemed to get more complicated with each passing year. She never stopped looking forward and outward, preferring to smile through the bad news and revel in the good. A text message would be all !!! and heart-emojis, each one truly felt. She likewise tended to her appearance, remaining as photogenic as ever with her blonde up-do and makeup done as only she could quite reproduce.

At the end, as her body failed her, she remained one to keep her complaints to herself, quietly planning ahead for a time when God's providence would include “sleeping in the Lord.”

Here to mourn her loss and await her Resurrection are her husband, Aaron; children, Enoch (10), Jed (9), and Ivy (5); her parents, DeWayne and Gwen Johnson; sister, Bethany (Joshua “Sven”) Kamrud; nieces and nephews, Jens, Shylah, Dawson, Gunnar, and Dukey; Aaron's parents, Eugene and MaryEllen Balek; in-laws, Deanna, Michael, Brian, and their families; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Neil and Doris Larson, and Allerd and Irene Johnson, and uncle, Dean Meberg.

While flowers are lovely, please consider a donation made to 'The Balek Family' for the continued support and future of her children.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 10:30 AM, in the Warren Covenant Church.
VISITATION: Wednesday evening, April 15, 2026, from 4:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM; in her home church at the Warren Assembly of God and one hour before services on Thursday at the Warren Covenant Church.
INTERMENT: Greenwood Cemetery, Warren, MN.