Crista Marie (Forrester) Pender

Victor - Crista Marie Pender, 32 of Victor passed away Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025 as the result of an automobile accident. Born Crista Forrester Oct 19, 1992 in Denver, Colorado the daughter of Cindy Carlson and Corey Ball.

Crista was raised in Greeley Colorado and graduated from Greeley Central High in 2011. She attended Colorado University in Colorado Springs until enlisting into the United States Navy in 2013. Crista served as a Logistics Specialist and deployed onboard the USS Harry S. Truman Nuclear Aircraft Carrier to the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. In 2017, Crista separated from the Navy and attended Reedley College in California, graduating with a business degree in 2021.

In August 2021 Crista married Jesse Pender in front of friends and family at Della Terra in Estes Park Colorado. They settled in Jesse’s home town of Victor and began building a life of love surrounded by animals and nature. Crista was passionate about the outdoors, beautiful flowers, and caring for dogs, cats, chickens, and exotic fish.

Crista worked at Corvallis Physical Therapy connecting patients with their medical benefits. Crista loved her job and considered her coworkers close friends. Crista was a sweet and gentle soul who loved helping people and naturally brightened any room she entered. Her coworkers referred to her as an “actual beam of sunshine”.

Crista is survived by her husband, mother, father, and sisters, Amber and Brittany. Crista has a huge family in Colorado including grandparents, cousins, and her beloved nieces Cloe and Emma, and nephews Gage and Eian. Services and celebration of life will be held in Montana and Colorado at a later date. Those wishing to are asked to make a donation or volunteer at the Bitter Root Humane Society in Crista’s name https://bitterroothumane.org/howcanihelp/

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