Christal Chapman

Christal Chapman, age 57, of Dawson formerly of St. James, died on Monday, April 11, 2011 at the Dawson ICFMR in Dawson. Christal Ann Chapman was born on November 10, 1953 in St. James, Minnesota. She died on April 11, 2011. Christal was an only child and lived in her family's home until her mother became ill in 1992. She then lived in Kathy Grundmeyer's foster home. After awhile she moved to New Ulm and lived in a home for adults with Down Syndrome. In 2004, when Christal's health declined, she moved to Dawson, MN for more specific care. Christal attended St. James Public Schools. She worked at The Enterprise in New Ulm and The Heartland Industries in Dawson. She enjoyed not only working, but the social interactions she had at her various work sites. Christal was a devoted Elvis fan and enjoyed his movies and music. She also enjoyed polka music, her cat, and community events. She had a great sense of humor and made many friends while living in New Ulm and Dawson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orin Shorty and Helen Chapman, her grandparents, several aunts, uncles, a cousin Edward Westerman her dear friend and babysitter, Dorothy Knudson, and her pets, Archie, Herman, Angel, and Itchy-bones. She is survived by an aunt Bertha Mix of Windom, cousins Jason Chapman of Minneapolis, Sue Piper of St. James, special childhood friends, Judy Van Ta, Shirley Knudson, and Roger Knudson all of St. James, and her faithful social worker Lori Kuehl of St. James.