Corinne Myrtle Johnson

Corinne M. (Christensen) Johnson passed away on November 27, at St. Ann’s Retirement Center in Oklahoma City after a long, beautiful life.

Corinne was born on November 7, 1926, to Anna Louise (Petersen) and Charles E. Christensen, on a farm near Viborg, South Dakota. She had one older sister and four older brothers. The family moved to Irene, South Dakota when Corinne was eight. Corinne attended Irene High School, where she loved being a cheerleader.

In Irene she met the love of her life, Walter Johnson. They were married on October 12, 1950. When their first child was born, the Korean war had just begun. But God and the high command chose to send Walter, who was a junior officer in the Army, to Europe accompanied by his young family. Corinne picked up a love of Italian things, and some bits of the language that would stay with her forever. “Buongiorno!” “Va bene!” In twelve years they had three sons and two daughters, born in Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. 

Corinne always poured out her love in acts of service and pure joy. For many years her beautiful (and delicious!) Swedish Tea Rings were found at church bake sales. She was a Cub Scout den mother. She attended band concerts, Little League, and football games with her kids. She belonged to the Altar Society, and delivered meals to the sick and shut-in. She was Woman of the Year in the local Catholic women’s activity conference, and for many years she made annual Padre Island trips with a group of her close friends. And after her kids were grown, she reentered the work force as an executive administrative assistant in an oil company.

Corinne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who uplifted all with her vivacious spirit. She lit up a room with her infectious laughter and she seemed to have a song ready to fit every situation. Her husband and her family were always her greatest love and the times the family could be brought together were the most special times for her. As the family expanded in numbers, it also spread across the country. So events that could inspire a reunion were increasingly precious.

Corinne was preceded by her husband Walter and her son George, her sister Ardis, and her brothers Charles, Lauris, Jerome, and Warren. She is survived by her son Kyle (with wife Miya), granddaughter Alyssa Johnson Brishcar (Ben), grandson Greg Johnson (Everlyn) and great-granddaughter Hailey Johnson; by daughter Louise Johnson Platt (Gary), grandson Chris Platt, granddaughter Katie Platt Hall (Jonathan) and great-grandchildren Charlotte and Jameson Hall; by son David Jerome Johnson (Kathy), grandson Steven Johnson (Erin) and great-granddaughters Claire and Lauren, granddaughter Kimberly Johnson Shumate (Marcus) and great-granddaughters Kathryn and Olivia Shumate, granddaughter Kelly Johnson Fields (Taylor) and great-grandchildren Everett, Levi, and Vivian Fields, and grandson Michael Johnson (Emma); and by daughter Mary Johnson Tidholm (John), and grandchildren Jack, Luke, and Meg Tidholm. 

We know Corinne is with us as we wish her farewell. Although she is gone, she will live in our hearts forever. Her positive attitude in life was an inspiring legacy and she will always be remembered with joy and a smile.