Christopher Lynn Olsen

Christopher (Christophe) Lynn Olsen, 66, passed away on January 17, 2026, in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Christophe was born on July 25, 1959, in Littleton, Colorado, to Robert and Elizabeth (Brown) Olsen. The Olsen family had deep roots in Littleton, including an ancestral farm along the South Platte River. Christoph was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Olsen; his brother, Patrick Olsen; and his sister-in-law, Judy (Maxwell) Olsen.

He is survived by his siblings: Donald Olsen and Cindy of Hotchkiss, Colorado; Glenn and Liz (McGovern) Olsen of Hillside, Arizona, Jim Olsen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ken Olsen of Eaton, Colorado; and Lynda (Olsen) Cannon of Hotchkiss, Colorado. He is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and a wide circle of friends.

Christophe attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Littleton and graduated from Hotchkiss High School in Hotchkiss, Colorado, in 1977. After high school, he served in the United States Army before beginning a life of travel that would shape who he became.

In the early 1980s, Christophe settled in Prescott, Arizona, where he began a long career in the natural foods industry. He worked at a small café and juice bar called Super Carrot, which also sold natural food products. There, he became known for planting and harvesting alfalfa sprouts and producing fresh carrot juice daily. During this time, he studied macrobiotic cooking and developed a passion for baking distinctive, artisan-style breads. He spent countless hours at the Prescott College library researching ancient food traditions, especially bread-making.

A devoted lover of nature, Christophe explored the high desert and pine forests of central Arizona. He lived and worked at Arcosanti, the experimental community blending architecture and ecology, where he put his culinary skills to use baking brick-oven breads and preparing macrobiotic meals for the community.

One of the experiences he cherished most was spending a spring and summer working with the State of Arizona, living atop a canyon wall while studying and documenting the behavior and habitat of a pair of golden eagles and their young—an experience that deeply fulfilled him.

With the same hitchhiker’s thumb that first brought him to Arizona, Christophe eventually left Arizona and continued traveling throughout the country. He later made his home in the mountainous regions of southern Montana, northern California, and southern Oregon, places that reflected his enduring love for wild landscapes, independence, and quiet reflection.

Christophe made his final trek from Northern California, and settled in the small town of Selma, in Southern Oregon. New to the area, he made the thoughtful choice to connect with like-minded people at the Cave Junction Farmers Market and Diggin Livin’, a local organic grocery store, where he formed friendships that would last a lifetime.

Christophe’s true dream and vision was to start a local organic bakery and café, where the community could gather. That vision became a reality in 2017 with the opening of the first Painted Rooster Bakery, in Kerby, Oregon. Later he opened a second bakery and cafe in the old Diggin Livin store, in Cave Junction, Oregon. His sourdough bread became famous far and wide. Friends would overnight loaves to loved ones all over the country. Parallel to the bakery, he continued his other passion of growing exceptional organic foods and herbal medicines. He shared his talented farming practices with many people.

In all of his endeavors, he hired local community members, always living by the message he spoke often: “Take care of your people and the community takes care of itself.” Christophe was a respected and deeply loved community figure, constantly giving friends an opportunity for a leg up in the world. He owned a locally famous and beloved A2/A2 Jersey cow named Molly, who provided healing raw milk to the community.

He formed deep roots in the Illinois Valley of Southern Oregon, where love and loyalty were woven into the fabric of his friendships. We are deeply grateful for his involvement and contributions. He will be incredibly missed.

Christophe will be remembered for his curiosity, gentle spirit, love of nature, and his unconventional, thoughtful way of moving through the world.

Please leave a memory of Christoph in his Guestbook.