Christine “Chris” Gail Dolhun

For such a private person (and we’re going to be in so much trouble for this), Chris cared deeply and openly for so many. She was an incredibly beautiful, warm presence—truly a gift to everyone lucky enough to know her.

Like her mother, she was generous and selfless, always putting others first, especially her six children. She opened her home and her heart even wider to two foreign exchange students, our significant others, and anyone who could use a little extra “mom". She was endlessly proud of her seven grandchildren and so excited to soon become a great-grandmother.

She was devoted to our father, Ted, for more than half their lives, and over time they became something just as meaningful: solid, true friends.

She protected us (often by solving problems so we wouldn’t have to tell Dad), loved us beyond measure, and celebrated everything—every achievement, milestone, birthday, holiday, and ordinary day—with full enthusiasm and joy.

Chris was a Burkee woman through and through: strong, resilient, and able to find light even in the darkest moments. She was a loving sister to six siblings, two of whom welcomed her home on February 5, 2026. She was also a daughter, aunt, godmother, cousin, and friend to countless others.

Somehow, she always had enough love to go around—and made each person feel like her sole focus, the only thing that mattered in that moment.

She made friends everywhere her full, vibrant life took her: at church, the racetrack, our schools, the boards on which she volunteered, her “godmothers’ club”— every  place she found herself, she found connection.

She was fun, she had fun, and she made sure everyone else had fun, too— summers up north, Packer games, Nascar races, Chicago shopping trips, surprise birthday parties (even though she hated surprises herself), Las Vegas casinos, and trips around the world with her kids.

She showed us the world, and she showed us how to be in the world. She was our world.

We miss you, Mom. Love you more. 

Debi (Jeff), TJ, Jacob (Kaycee), Rachel (Aaron), Ashley (Erin) and Alexandra (Mark) Dolhun

Ben (Haley), Tom, Kate and Maggie Johnson

Ashton and Boston Dolhun

Téodóir Dolhun

PS. Mom, this is not an obituary.