Christina “Chrisi” Marie Reif-FuhrmanHutchinson, KS

Christina “Chrisi” Marie Reif-Fuhrman passed from this life on Sunday, April 5th, 2026.  Chrisi was born to loving parents, Ed and Joan Fuhrman on January 9th, 1969 in Coldwater, Kansas. The family moved to Courtland, KS for a few years before settling in Belleville, KS, where Chrisi attended grade school, Jr. High and High School.  As part of Belleville High School’s Class of 1987, Chrisi was involved in numerous activities including Band, Kayettes, Spanish Club, Student Council and Cheerleading.  She was Junior Class Vice-President and Sweetheart (Winter Homecoming) Royalty.  As one of her course credits, she worked as an Assistant in the Counselor’s Office.

Chrisi spent the next 5 years at Fort Hays University and the 35 years after that proudly wearing her pride for FHSU in clothing, and ultimately a tattoo.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1991, graduating Magna Cum Laude; and her Master’s degree in Special Education and Teaching in 1992 with a 4.0 GPA.  Undergrad activities included Alpha Lamba Delta Honor Society, SPURS National Honor Society, Mortar Board and Resident Hall Council.

God gave Chrisi a strong sense of empathy and helped her develop the courage to defend, support and lift up those that needed it most.  She used these gifts to become a life-long advocate for people with disabilities.

She started her career as a special education teacher in Abilene, KS before moving to Nickerson High School, where she would be a difference-maker in the lives of hundreds of young people for the next 24 years.  But her impact did not stop at the classroom.  She worked summer camps for handicapped children and worked with the Special Olympics for over two decades at both local and state levels as a Certified Coach and Program Coordinator.  She was a pioneer in school-to-work transitioning for special education students and in 2017, became the Reno County Education Cooperative Transition Coordinator. She retired from public education in 2023.  During her career in Special Education, she was the recipient of several honors, including the Spirit of Hope Award issued by the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum and a Classroom Grant for Innovative Teaching issued by the Kansas Association of Retired School Professionals, recognizing her efforts in promoting innovative educational approaches within the Kansas school system.

In 2010, while working in education, Chrisi started part-time at Strataca, the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. She held many titles during her 16 years of service at Strataca. She was one of the museum’s first Train Ride Engineers and enjoyed being a Topside Manager for Scout Overnights. After her retirement from public education, she became the Operations and Education Manager for Strataca.  She loved making social media promo reels for the museum.  Her outgoing personality and willingness to “put herself all out there” made her perfect for the task.  Her light shone brightly at this place that bills itself as a museum “where the sun don’t shine”.

Recently, she represented Strataca in a Good Morning America segment, highlighting unique places to visit in every U.S. state.

On March 27, 2017, Chrisi married Levi Reif and thus Mr. & Mrs. Reif-Fuhrman was formed. They both found the love and support they needed in one another. They enjoyed going to concerts, dining out, cooking in, wearing matching/coordinated T-Shirts and trying out the latest trends from fat-wheel bikes to scooters to AI generated caricatures.  Most of all, they enjoyed doting over each other and their beloved pets, Gus and Diesel.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Joan (Robertson) Fuhrman, father-in-law, Robert Doering, and grandparents, Charlie Jr. and Esther (Cure) Fuhrman; and John and Edna (Brown) Roberston.

She is survived by her husband, Levi Reif-Fuhrman; father, Ed Fuhrman; mother-in-law, Tabea Reif; brother, John Fuhrman and wife Dawn; nieces, Nicole (Dan) Martin, Andrea (Spencer) Bosley, Lauren (Luke) Baker, Janell Fuhrman; and nephew, Conner Fuhrman.

Parish Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m. both at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson.  Inurnment will be in the Fowler Cemetery, and announced at a later date.  Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

In recognition of Chrisi’s 16 years of service and the countless lives she touched, Strataca will establish a memorial in her honor, celebrating the lasting impact she had on all who knew her.

Memorials may be made to Strataca (with the memo Chrisi Reif-Fuhrman Memorial) or to the Special Olympics Kansas, and may be left in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.