Obituary of Francis Xavier Durkee

Francis Xavier “Durk” Durkee was born on July 13,1934 in Ironwood, MI to John Gilbert and Eva Helen (Hamel) Durkee. Francis passed away peacefully in his 90th year, on December 30, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

After graduation, from St. Ambrose High School in 1953, Durk, as he is known by his family and friends, worked for a short time as a switch tender for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in Ironwood, before enlisting in the United States Army on 03 November 1953. He served with pride, received a National Defense Service Medal, and was honorably discharged on 24 October 1955.

On February 16, 1957, he married Jeanette Marie Thomas of Hurley, WI. Shortly after their marriage, Durk and Jeanette began their lives in Kenosha, WI, where he worked for American Motors, and where their two daughters Carie Marie and Sueann were born.

In 1965, they moved their family to the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior, settling in Finland, MN, where Durk was employed at Reserve Mining Co in Silver Bay. He then found a permanent career with the Lake County Highway Department. He was able to work independently in the open air of the seasons, which agreed with his chosen way of life.

Durk and Jeanette not only worked hard, but they loved to play hard. Planting trees with the US Forest Service, and spending time at their family cabin enjoying nature snowshoeing, four-wheeling, cutting wood for winter, and playing productively on the tractor, and of course enjoying a sauna.

Once retired, Durk and Jeanette traveled with an RV across all 50 states and Mexico multiple times, enjoying the warmth of the lower states provided.

After he mourned the passing of his wife Jeanette on February 28, 2007, Durk married Lois Tibbetts, a long-time family friend who had also lost her spouse, on September 12, 2009. They continued to spend time at the cabin and continued to travel.

Francis is preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanette of 50 years, daughter Sue, his parents, and four brothers Robert, Edmond, Gilbert, and Stuart.

He is survived by his daughter, Carie (Mike) Larson; grandchildren Thomas Durkee, Meghan (Mark) Brostrom, Alicia Durkee, and Kathleen (Cody) Privette; Great-grandchildren Destinee Durkee, Bennett Brostrom, Eleanor Privette, Brody Bostrom, and Payton Durkee; and his current wife Lois Tibbetts-Durkee of 15 years, and stepsons Greg and Mark (Shelly).

A celebration of Durk’s life will be held on January 24, 2025 at 11am, at the Clair Nelson Community Center in Finland, MN.