Darrell Joseph Christofferson, 75

Darrell Joseph Christofferson went to be with the Lord at home in Kalispell on Aug. 8, 2022. following complications from cancer treatment.

Darrell was born on Nov. 7, 1946, in Kalispell to Jack and Barbara Christofferson. He spent his early childhood with his brother, Bruce, in Halfmoon, near Columbia Falls, where his dad worked at Stoltz Lumber Co. At age 11, the family moved to Polson, where his dad worked as a lumber broker. When Darrell was 12 he lost his mother due to an aneurysm. Darrell's father remarried and a younger brother, Don, joined the family.

After high school graduation, Darrell joined the Navy at age 17. He loved serving his country, and spent 22 years doing so, mostly as an avionics technician and then as a drug and alcohol counselor. As a technician he was a radioman on P-2 and P-3 airplanes, which were being used to track Soviet submarines at the time. He was stationed in Florida most of the time, but spent time in Washington, D.C., some time on the Forrestal aircraft carrier, and his final time in Bermuda before retiring. During his military service he traveled to many countries, his favorites being Spain, Norway and Iceland. He also became an airplane pilot and, with friends, owned an airplane for several years.

Darrell's son, Jason, was born in 1972, to Darrell and his first wife. They divorced, but Darrell cherished his son, and spent as much time as possible with him.

After Navy retirement Darrell moved back to Montana, and went to work as a press operator at the Daily Inter Lake. He worked there for 20 years. During this time he met Ardis, and after dating for a year, they were married in July of 1991, and celebrated 31 years of marriage a month before he passed away. Darrell loved the four stepchildren who joined him as his own, and raised his youngest, Ashley.

After retiring from the newspaper, Darrell became a bus driver. He loved driving tour buses, and made many trips up to Canada, Colorado, and much of the Northwest. He also drove a school bus route for a while, and then drove buses mostly for school activities, his favorite being sports and eighth grade Montana history trips. He was a Montana history buff, with many history books, and loved to do narrative on the trips.

Darrell's hobbies included sailing, fishing, camping, hunting, horseback riding, flying airplanes and traveling. He also was a licensed Ham radio operator, and enjoyed talking to people all over the world. He loved animals, especially his dogs, cats and horses.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Barbara; his beloved grandparents, Henning, Anna and Beulah; his uncle, Ted; and aunt, Eva; and a great-grandchild, Forrest.

He is survived by his wife, Ardis; his brothers, Bruce (Carla) and Don; his son, Jason (Sierra); stepchildren, Clint (Mendi), Shawnee (Scott), Jeremy, and Ashley (Brandon); 11 grandchildren, one1 great-grandchild, and a niece and nephew with their spouses and children, plus many extended family members.

A celebration of life will be held on Sept. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at Canvas Church in Kalispell. Darrell loved his Lord, Canvas Church, and his church family. He was a door host for many years and loved meeting and greeting everyone who came through his door.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.