Sundrea "Sunny" Chrisman

Sundrea “Sunny” Chrisman, age 80, of Union, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Eldora Specialty Care in Eldora, Iowa.

A memorial gathering and time to share memories will be held this Saturday, January 6 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Union Community Church. The family would love to have your visit and encourages casual dress. She will be laid to rest in the Union Cemetery in a private family service. Memorials may be directed to her family. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown is caring for Sunny and her family.

Sundrea Sue Bracy was born on July 8, 1943 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Winifred “Winnie” and Lois (Polzein) Bracy. Sunny graduated from Union-Whitten High School in 1960.

After high school, Sunny married Larry Chrisman on February 18, 1961. They lived in Marshalltown briefly before settling down in Union and starting a family.

Sunny had her own childcare business for many years, caring for many children. She enjoyed many hobbies which included vegetable and flower gardening, sewing, crocheting, cross-stitch, macramé, genealogy and stampin’ up. She also enjoyed watching her Cubs play baseball, as well as her KC Chiefs football team. She also loved caring for, training and playing with Duke, Missy, Lady and Meg, her other four-legged children.

Sunny was instrumental as an EMT for Union Ambulance, alongside some of the best colleagues, guiding and teaching her, and aiding her decision to find a career in nursing. Sunny raised her children then soon began her journey to nursing. She worked at Wolfe Eye Clinic for many years until the decision to go back to college and the pursuit of her passion for nursing overcame her. She signed up at Marshalltown Community College and within many years of college classes, graduated with a Registered Nursing degree. She worked at the hospital before her career took off at the Iowa Veterans Home. Sunny retired from there after many years of taking care of patients she loved and missed so much after retirement. She continued her hobbies, keeping busy with grandkids and great-grandkids.

Left to cherish her memories are her loving husband, Larry, of 62 years and five children and their families, including eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Brian (Monica) Chrisman, daughter Alisha and son Brandon of San Antonio, TX; Michelle (Jeff) Smith of Salt Lake City, daughter Abby of San Antonio, TX and son Matt of Grand Junction, CO; Mindy Chrisman of Melbourne, IA and daughter Jennifer Matteson (Ed Santana) and their three sons: Elliott, Elijah and Oren of Port Charlotte, FL; Brent (Holly) Chrisman of Lena, IL and sons Ty of Fort Riley, KC and Kade of Lena, IL; and Brad Chrisman of Gilman, IA and his son Nathan of Boulder, CO. Also surviving are Sunny’s siblings: Karen Brennan of Ankeny, IA, Don (Ann) Bracy of Union, IA and Jeanne Moore of Missouri.

In death, Sunny joins her parents, family and friends and starts her next journey. You will be greatly missed and forever loved!

-lovingly written by the family