Obituary of Ellen Louise Johnson

Ellen Louise (Tipton) Johnson passed from this life on January 27, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; and son, Daniel. Ellen is survived by her daughters, Vicky Sanger of Florence, Colorado, and Penny (Joe) Kondrup of Colorado Springs, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Stacee, Mandee, Kimberly, Nick, Kenley, Jaimee, and Laura and their families (sixteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild); daughter-in-law, Rebecca Johnson; and brother, Don Tipton.Ellen was born to George Ellis Tipton and Maude Belle (Wooten) Tipton on December 9,1933 in Colorado Springs and was the youngest of ten children, and often said that she was raised as much by her sisters as her mom. Ellen grew up on ranch/farm in Calhan and attended Calhan schools her entire life graduating in 1951. One school memory she had was looking out the school windows and seeing WWII POWs working on the grounds.While in high school Ellen survived a tragic traffic accident in which she sustained serious injuries including a broken jaw and multiple facial lacerations and her best friend was killed. Ellen's injuries were so severe that her father identified her at the hospital by looking at her arms. During her recovery Ellen recalled how the cooks at school would prepare a liquid lunch so she could eat by straw. This experience severely impacted her, but she rarely spoke of it. Upon graduating from high school Ellen attended Central Business College in Denver. Afterwards she returned to Colorado Springs and went to work for the Colorado Springs Abstract Company which at that time was located in the County Court House downtown, now housing the Pioneer Museum. Ellen was married to her high school sweetheart, Carl Denny Johnson, on October 5, 1952. Carl and Ellen lived in the Ellicott area most of their lives. During their sixty-two years of marriage, they worked and played side by side. Carl and Ellen enjoyed music and were terrific dance partners to one another. They loved to go to Cripple Creek regularly to play the nickel slots, and they also traveled across the country by motorhome and had many adventures. She also participated in other church and community events. Ellen drove a "school bus" (they used vans at the time) for several years and was an Avon representative for a time.She was in 4-H for seven years while in school, where she learned the basics of sewing, mending, embroidering, etc. After she married, her mother-in-law, Helen Johnson, taught her more detailed methods. Ellen was a member of the Women's Extension Club and other craft clubs in the community. She did all the usual sewing, crocheting, making afghans, embroidery, and liquid painting, often entering items in the County Fair. Her sister, Irma, got her interested in doing plastic needlework about twenty-five years ago - she spent countless hours at the craft and was very proud of her accomplishments. She enjoyed making gifts for family and friends.Ellen enjoyed watching baseball and was very informed about the teams, players, and stats. She enjoyed doing jig saw puzzles and word puzzles, coloring, playing cards, and reading. She was always busy doing something! But her family and faith were first and foremost. To celebrate her passage into her new beautiful and pain free home with our Lord the family invites friends and family to an open house reception and celebration of life on 1:00PM-4:00PM, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, Patty Jewett Bar and Grille at 900 East Espanola Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907.