Christopher Hans
December 21, 1976 ~ November 7, 2020
Chris's Live Streamed Funeral Service can be viewed below:
Fargo Scheel’s lost its best customer when Christopher Russel Hans died suddenly in an airplane accident on Saturday, November 7, 2020.
Chris was born on December 21, 1976 to Jerome and Barbara (Bakkerud) Hans, rural Davenport, ND.
Chris grew up on the family farm where he learned to master the art of fixing things from following his Dad around all day. He attended and was confirmed at Canaan Moravian Church, Davenport ND.
He attended Kindred High School and graduated in 1995. He wasn’t much of an athlete but he did have the coolest car (so we’re told).
Chris graduated from WyoTech in Laramie, Wyoming. While living there he was an avid rock climber, hunter, fisher and snowmobiler.
In 1998, Chris became a Dad to his first daughter Rayne, that he loved from the start and always talked about her. In 2000, he returned to the family farm and worked for Glasow Farms on and off for the next several years, he couldn’t resist helping out at harvest time.
It was in September of 2000, he met the love of his life, Michelle. They were married on June 7, 2003 and lived in Wahpeton where they both worked at the Circle of Nations School.
In 2005, their daughter Rylee was born. Chris was an amazing Dad and she soon became a Daddy’s girl and had him wrapped around her finger, which was still true till his last day. Chris attended NDSCS, Wahpeton, ND and graduated in 2010 from NDSU with a degree in Civil Engineering.
He worked at Ulteig Engineers until joining Bolton and Menk, Inc., in June of 2019, where he was excited to be doing strictly aviation projects.
He will deeply missed by: his wife, Michelle (Fargo), daughters Rayne Benson (Laramie, WY), Rylee Hans (Fargo), his parents Jerome and Barbara (Bakkerud) Hans (Fargo), mother-in- law, Linda Bartnick (Wahpeton).
He was preceded in death by his infant son Drake (2013), father-in-law, James Bartnick, and paternal and maternal grandparents.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be given to the Fargo Air Museum (https://fargoairmuseum.org) in memory of Chris.
Chris' Video Tribute can be viewed below;
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MIchelle, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
I am so very sorry for the loss of Chris. I worked with him in the early 2000’s. He was always so kind and friendly. Michelle my heart goes out to you, your daughter, and all those who knew and loved Chris. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days, weeks, and months to come.
Michelle, Rylee and all your families. Our hearts are so heavy for you all. Chris was an amazing man. He will be miss by so many of us. 😥The Huber families
Michelle, I cannot imagine the hurt you are going through. Keeping you in my prayers and thoughts. So sad.
Michelle and Rylee,
My deepest condolences for your loss. I did not have the privilege of working with Chris as I am out of our Ramsey office. However, Bolton and Menk is one big family to me and therefore I want you to know we all are with you in thought and prayer during this difficult time.
Hi Michelle,
I just wanted to reach out and say that I am deeply sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
Chris was a great friend and I will miss him. I’m so sorry for your loss Michelle. He was a great colleague and I’m grateful that I was able to get to know him when working at Ulteig. He will truly be missed. My prayers are with you Rylee, and family.
Michelle and family,
So sorry to hear about your husband’s accident. Life is so precious and can change so fast. May you and your family be filled with the love of family and friends during this very difficult time. Thoughts and prayers.
Michelle, Rylee and family- I am so sorry for your loss. My heart hurts for you. Love to all!!
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Chris for many years at Ulteig on many airport projects.
Michelle, Rylee, and family
Sorry for your loss, he will be greatly missed. Chris was great colleague and friend. If it was working late, surveying in western ND, or getting the lunch special at Mangos, it was a lot more fun with him being there.
I am so sorry for your loss. Chris was a great friend and colleague. I could always count on him to answer the phone when I needed help and he mentored me on several airport projects. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Michelle. I don’t know if you remember me or not, but I am Chuck Sanders and I worked with Chris at Ulteig until we both left to go to Bolton and Menk. It was always pleasure talking with him about life, guns, and hunting when our schedules permitted. He was a great guy. He will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of helping Chris out at work on a subdivision construction project in Moorhead, and filling in for him when he was on another airport project. He sure had a passion for airplanes! At times, you would see him at work flying his remote control airplane outside at work. As Chris grew up near the Kindred area, I could relate to him as I recently lived out near that area. Chris would talk about the fun times of driving up the steep Gol Road near Kindred. My prayers are with your family at this difficult times. I am so sorry for your loss.
Michelle and Rylee –
I did not have the privilege of meeting Chris but just wanted to let you know that as a family of employees at Bolton and Menk, we have you in our thoughts and prayers. It sounds like he was truly a great husband and Dad. Our deepest regrets to you and your family.
Please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss. I personally will miss Chris around the office just being Chris. I always enjoyed listening to him talk about his passion of flying mixed in with a little bit of work related conversations. Thank you for sharing Chris with us the past year or so.
I know I will not forget the camo crocks.
My family (Gohdes) and I attended and served Canaan Moravian Church throughout my childhood growing up and I am deeply saddened to learn of Chris’s passing. When I think about Chris I was remember him as a striking, tall, confident, intelligent man who would move mountains in the future. And it appears he did just that! My condolences to his wife and children and all family members along with all of the people who knew and loved him. Sending around many prayers. Rest In Peace Chris.
My heart breaks for the Chris’s families. I cannot imagine your loss. Uplifting you in prayer and that you find some peace during this most difficult time. Hugging you all with my heart. Love you
Sorry for you loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with you during the difficult time. Chris was a co-worker with me at Ulteig and was one of the nicest guys I’ve met and was always ready to go hunting, golfing or fishing. Most of all he loved going out to chinese over lunch break. I’m glad I got to share multiple lunch breaks with him, and talk smart about anything everything we could. He will be greatly missed.
So sorry for your loss. Had the pleasure of working with Chris over the years and I will miss the talks we had and that mischievous smile.
I worked with Chris at Ulteig. One day when we were returning from a surveying trip in western ND, we stopped at the Big Boy in Bismarck and he pulled into the back lot. I asked what we were doing, and he said, Just wait. And then what felt like dozens of wild turkeys emerged from the trees and we fed them french fries. It feels silly- but I think of him every time I drive by that stretch of Main Ave. It was such an unexpected shot of life in an otherwise average day. And that’s Chris. Advice through stories. An offbeat joke. Every project, every conversation he taught me something about engineering and life.
I will miss him.
Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss. Chris was a great man. I enjoyed working with him at Ulteig and hanging out while ice fishing. You are in our thoughts and prayers
Michelle and family. So very sorry for your loss . Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
My heart breaks for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Michelle,
What a wonderful man he was. As sad I as I am to read his obituary, it made me smile numerous times. My heart is so broken for you and the love ones he left behind. We are all praying for you and sending hugs. You have an entire work army here to support you in what you need. I wish more than anything right now that I could give you the biggest hug.
Sincerely, Your fav attorney, Jessi
Michelle, we are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Michelle,
I am so saddened to hear about the loss of your dear husband. You and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers. Thinking of you…
I am sorry for your loss. I had only met Chris a few weeks ago and but we had already shared several stories about surveying and the great state of North Dakota. He had an obvious passion for life and his career. My family and I will be praying for you.
Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is hurting for all of you. If our crazy world was different right now we would be there for you. Please know you are in our thoughts and Prayers.
Michelle and Family, I’m so sorry for your loss. I worked with Chris and we were good friends. Chris really had a passion for life and a thirst for adventure. We connected on hobbies and enjoyed ice fishing together. He could get you excited about a can of Dinty Moore over the sunflower heater for lunch! You couldn’t get the smile off his face for months after he landed the Biggest Lake Trout of the trip in Ontario! He will be missed! Prays and thoughts during this difficult time.
Michelle, Rylee and Rayne, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot imagine how much you hurt right now. He will live on in your hearts forever. It was a beautiful prayer service!
Michelle and family,
My sincerest condolences to you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs! ❤
I only met Chris a few times, but he was fun, funny, smart and a joy to be around. You are all in my prayers.
Our deepest prayers and thoughts are with you during this time of your loss.
Lynn Larsen & Red Geurts
I met Chris through work, and we bonded through our love of flying. Each time we were together, we talked flying a lot and work a little. I thought the world of Chris and looked forward to seeing him each time we met. He will be dearly missed by all of us that got to know him. My sympathies to the entire family.
Michelle, Rylee, & Rayne – our hearts break for you. You are in our thoughts. Hopefully you can find comfort in knowing that you are on our minds and in our hearts. Chris was a wonderful guy.
Matt & Jodie Johnson and family.