Christine Johnson Obituary

Christine Wahle Johnson, 65, passed away peacefully at her home in Norwood, Colorado, on February 14, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born on April 13, 1960, in Junction City, Kansas, Christine was the daughter of Charles Wahle and Patty Bray. She was raised on her family’s wheat farm, where she developed a lifelong appreciation for the land and the slow rhythms of rural life. She often shared memories of learning from-scratch cooking from her grandmother, tending cows and gathering eggs before school, and learning from her father to respect the heritage and hard work tied to the land.

Christine earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University. She later moved to Telluride, Colorado, intending to stay briefly, but remained in town for nearly 40 years after falling in love with the mountains and the community.

On May 31, 1992, she married Stephen Johnson. Together they built their life in the San Juan Mountains, sharing nearly 34 years of marriage and two children. Christine devoted herself primarily to her family as a mother and homemaker. She also worked for many years as a part-time secretary for her husband's law practice. A passionate family historian, she dedicated significant time to researching and preserving both her own and her husband’s family histories.

She embraced mountain life, hiking with the family dogs, cross-country and downhill skiing, and walking the river trail. She was an avid gardener who maintained a large collection of houseplants and a summer garden. She even successfully grew vegetables in Telluride’s high-altitude climate. After moving to Norwood, she enjoyed abundant harvests of potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, and greens - something she had long missed since her farm childhood.

Christine was deeply engaged in her community. She was a patron of Alpine Chapel in Telluride for many decades, often volunteering at the annual free Thanksgiving meal and supporting church clothing drives. She regularly attended town council and school board meetings in Telluride and continued her civic involvement after moving to Norwood. She advocated strongly for her children and community and notably played a key role in the establishment of Telluride’s 15 mph speed limit.

Above all, she will be remembered for her warmth and kindness. She greeted others with enthusiasm and rarely completed an errand without stopping for heartfelt conversation. She made time for those who needed her and cared deeply about the needs of others.

Christine was preceded in death by her father, Charles Wahle, and her sister, Margaret Wahle. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Johnson; her son, Bridger Johnson; her daughter, Madeline Haddow, and son-in-law, Alistair Haddow; her mother, Patty Bray; her half-brother, James Bray; and her dear extended family and friends.

A funeral service and celebration of life will take place this summer in Telluride. Details will be announced at a later time. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kindred Spirits of Colorado (https://kindredspiritsofcolorado.com/holistic-nursing ; https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML3899TP9PVYC/checkout/X5U56ON4INS44VKKJ5QN3Q3E?src=sheet) or Bosom Buddies of Southwest Colorado (https://bosombuddiesswc.org/ ; https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=XC99BLCDYBMQG&source=url).