Kristin Julie Joy

Kris died peacefully at home June 3, 2026 in Loveland, Colorado.

Kris was born September 13, 1943, the first of four children born to Dr. Roy and Helen Tobiason.

Her life was marked by love of family, dedication to her work, generosity to others, sensitivity to nature and respect for humanity.

Kris was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during wartime. Her parents had married following her father's completion of dental school at Marquette on December 20, 1942. Shortly after, he was sent to OTS for the Navy in San Diego. Somehow, he was able to finagle a trip back to Milwaukee for the birth of his beloved daughter, Kris.

At age five Kris, with sibling Lindi, and mother, Helen, flew into the relatively new Stapleton Airport in Denver where Roy had been invited to become a new young partner of the Smedley Dental Group.

The young family joined Messiah Lutheran Church, where Kris was baptized and confirmed. Since the church is located across from City Park, the girls enjoyed being taken to the Denver Zoo after church. There, they got to visit monkey island, the polar and brown bears, the lion, hippopotamus, and Cookie, the elephant. It was a very simple zoo back in the late 40's and early 50's.

In 1951 and 1955, Kris' brothers, Steve and Kevin, were born and the family of 6 lived in a two-bedroom apartment on St. Paul Street.

Kris attended Denver Public Schools until 8th grade, when the family moved into a house in the Holly Hills area of Arapahoe County. There, she attended Cherry Creek Junior High and graduated from Cherry Creek Senior High in 1961.

In July of 1964, Kris married Rick Joy. Their marriage welcomed the births of Beth, Pam, and Kate.

Those years took Kris and Rick to Pennsylvania, Iowa, California and finally back to Colorado, settling in the Castle Rock area. Kris was active in the girls schools and their extracurricular activities. She enjoyed reading, writing columns for the school newsletters and birding at Roxborough Park. Their marriage ended in 1988.

In 1989, Kris graduated from Metropolitan State University in Denver with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and Counseling, and began her career as a Certified Addictions Specialist. (CAS) Kris was highly dedicated to her profession of helping people with addictions for 37 years, up until the time of her death.

Kris held a generous heart, reaching out to remember birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays for all her family and extended family and friends. She had a natural artistic and culinary flair revealed in the cards and gifts she chose to share. Cards found their way to Ireland, mainland Europe, Costa Rica and Israel.

Kris enjoyed reading the New York Times Newspaper, the New Yorker Magazine, and keeping track of sporting events all on her iPad.

Kris annually supported Doctors Without Boarders and the National Audubon Society.

Kris' family appreciates the tender mercies of love received through phone calls, cards, texts, flowers, and actions. Kris would want to remind us all to be kind and caring to each other, helping where needed.

Kris was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and numerous aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her daughters, Beth (Hugh Masterson), Pam (Joel Albers), Kate (Rick Wagner); her siblings, Kathlin MacDonnell, Steve (Bernie Tobiason), and Kevin Tobiason; her 11 grandchildren, Maria (Bob Kocisko), Tim, Erin, Drew Albers, Evie (John Paul Hernandez), Trey (Mari Wagner), Olivia (Riley Volk), Davis, Cole, Lucas and JP Wagner; her 6 great grandchildren, Christopher, Peter, Gianna, Millie, James, and Marie; and numerous cousins, in particular Joane Blatt, James, David, and Paul Tobiason.

Her service will be held on Monday June 22, 2026 at 11am at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Loveland, Colorado followed by a private burial.