Chrissie Joy Johnston

Chrissie Joy (Odlund) Johnston, age 51, of Amasa, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 25th, 2023, at her home. Chrissie was born January 1st, 1972, in Crystal Falls, MI, to Gerald and Josephine Odlund. Chrissie attended Forest Park Schools, graduating in 1990, and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1992 with an associates degree in business. She cherished the beginnings of her employment at the Amasa Hotel Bar where she was surrounded by people she loved and cherished. She worked for Schinella Mottes, Dr. Bathje Eye Clinic, and most recently for the State of Michigan DHS. Besides her love of family, Chrissie had multiple passionate interests. She was the “glue” of Amasa. If you knew Amasa, you knew Chrissie. She loved to take part in anything that had to do with the history of Amasa and the families who resided there. She was instrumental in the Amasa Historical Society, Adopt a-Highway (Amasa Stumblers), Amasa Fireflies, the Amasa Centennial and Quincentennial, the Albino Weber Scholarship committee, and she participated in any community-based need or event. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, and she loved to play softball for the Amasa Hotel Bar and for the Finn Pollack games at Runkle Lake Park. She also arranged the Easter Egg hunt in Amasa and would light up, watching all the kids enjoy themselves. She had a deep love for animals and owned several horses throughout her life. She would often arrange trail rides with the largest being the Triangle Ranch horse ride (with Donna Sjoquist, Naapuri) and Snake Rapids rides. Many of these rides would end in big camping events that would allow her to carry on her deep connection with those she loved. She loved anything outdoors, from snowmobiling, to kayaking, and camping with family and friends. She loved to sit by the campfire listening to her favorite music and dancing. She loved the Amasa Street dances and cutting a rug with her sisters. She was very artistic and had a creative touch with everything she did. She was a detailed historian and loved to document all these things; you would always find her behind her camera. She found a deep sense of peace and connection to the world when being in nature. She found happiness in the small things, and she lived by that daily. She thought of others frequently and would do small things to make people feel special. She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. She always believed in signs from those that passed before us, so when you see a feather, a butterfly, or experience a sunrise or sunset think of her. It’s her, saying hello. Chrissie is survived by her husband, Craig Johnston; her sisters, Adeline Chaffee, Lorna Willis, Linda (Kurt) Colombino, Colleen (Conrad) Stromberg, Maria (Mark) Deelsnyder, Laura (Steve) Carlson; a brother, Paul (Sue) Freudinger, mother-in-law, Sharon Johnston; bonus children, Andy (Melonie) Johnston, Mike Johnston; grandchildren, Oakley and Zaelynn; brother-in-law, Marlin (Jackie) Thompson; and sister-in-law, Valerie Sartori. She is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews, Mike (Gail) Brzoznowski, Angela (Mike) Schindler, Mindy Levinson, Hannah Floodstrand, John (Hannah Miller) Floodstrand, Brian (Alayna) Colombino, & Teresa (Kyle) Sabotta; many great-nieces and nephews, whom she also dearly cherished; her chosen family and very dear friends, Deena Woller, Anastasia Johnson, Caroline Stebbins, Lindsey Lauridsen, and Aunty Berna Smith. She also formed a new connection with cousins Mary Reider and Sue Reider. Family and friends meant the world to her, and she lived to keep them all connected. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Josephine Odlund; stepmother, Vicki Odlund; and father-in-law, Bud Johnston. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 10th, 2023, at the Amasa park (Joe Mechon Park). Gathering will begin at 12:00 pm and a service at 1:00 pm with more fellowship following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an Amasa community related organization of your choice. Condolences to the family of Chrissie Joy (Odlund) Johnston may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.

Chrissie Joy Johnston

January 1, 1972 - May 25, 2023