Christopher Thomas Durfee

On the night of March 28th, 2024, Christopher Thomas Durfee peacefully passed away in the loving arms of his wife of 37 years, Karen, with their daughters Holly and Hanna by his side. Chris was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in June 2023. Although too soon, his family is at peace knowing he is without pain and able to eat as much smelt dinner as he wants as he joins his dear friend Russ, brother Rob, and beloved nephews Drew and Conor in the next life. He was the best dad, husband, papa, uncle, son, brother, and brother-in-law. His wife Karen is his high-school sweetheart and soul mate. He took any opportunity to embarrass his children in front of their friends with just how much he loved her. They laughed, travelled, camped, and did life together in every way possible. Holly and Hanna had the ultimate dad. They will miss his teasing, warm hugs, advice on life, morning coffee, and unconditional love. His four grandchildren will always remember his tractor rides, practical jokes, easy laugh, and big bear hugs. He always felt most comfortable playing with the kids at family gatherings, never hesitating to initiate a massive water fight to break the boredom. He was compassionate, hard-working, and took so much joy in life’s simple things like trying to outsmart the squirrels so he could enjoy bird watching from his front window. He loved fishing, spending time outside, and working on all his projects. He took great pride in his career as a blue-collar labor man with ME International, Cirrus Design, and finishing his career strong as a miner at MinnTac. He was a very humble and private man, and his life was such a blessing to those he held dear. We are all better for having known him and saying he will be dearly missed is an understatement. He is survived by his wife Karen (Reindl); daughters Holly (James Sartori) and Hanna (Christian Fraser); grandchildren Milo, River, Mars, and Lochlan; mother, Madeline Larson; siblings Cindy (Doug Steinbach), Martin (Martha), William Durfee, and Lori Bloomer. In addition to those listed above he is preceded in death by his father, Bob Durfee, and step-father, Richard Larson. A visitation will be held from 11 am until 1pm Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing.