Brian Lee Duryee Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected death of Brian Lee Duryee (Coon Rapids, Minnesota), born in Cresco, Iowa, who passed away on March 9, 2023, at the age of 64, leaving to mourn family and friends.

How do you say Goodbye and let go of someone you have Loved So Much For So Long? From the moment I first met Brian as a young girl at The Minnesota State Fair I knew Brian was the one I would Love Forever. I don't know how I will live without you. I will carry you in my Heart Forever. I miss you so much. I hope you are holding and loving on Trevor.

I could go into who Brian was born to and who his family and relatives were as most obituaries do. However, anyone that knew Brian understood that he was so much more than that. Brian lived life to the fullest. It was the Dash between his birth and death that mattered most. Brian traveled the World working for most of his life. His home was where he was and he considered many working for or with him as family. Brian started when he was a young boy growing up in Austin Minnesota working novelty sales in the summers in the Fair Industry. He originally started working with Mike Dahl and eventually went on to work for The Desplinter Brother's Art and eventually Bud. Their family were the ones who invented the balloon. After many years of hard work Brian purchased the business and went on to own and operate his own successful business until he sold the business and retired. Brian's reputation among his competitors and Co-Workers was that of hard work and respect. Brian formed relationships in every state he worked in. Many grew into lifetime friendships.

Brian Duryee was a Great Man that did Great Things with His Life. I believe with my whole heart there are two types of people in the World. Those that sit down and those that stand up. Brian stood up. In the most important of times he stood up.
Brian was a Volunteer Firefighter for several years while living in Illinois and running his business.
He served as a Minnesota Republican Delegate during the 2012 Presidential Election.
On May 17, 2014 my 47 year old sister Toni had a heart attack and suffered an Anoxic Brain injury from lack of oxygen. It took 40 minutes to revive her. She required 24 hour critical care skilled nursing. She required a feeding tube, trachea and was dependent on others for every movement. Doctors wanted us to terminate her life. Brian fought side by side with Toni for her and for her life. We brought her home and he spent 15 hour days helping her nursing team take care of her. He did this for the first three years. He showed Toni a Love and Compassion few have ever known. Because of this Doctors said Toni thrived beyond all expectations. She is alive today. I have no doubt that if not for Brian she would not be. He did all this for someone he had never met until we were called and went to the hospital on May 17, 2014.
When Brian learned that his Father Loren was very ill and at the end of his life, he did not hesitate to jump on a plane and go to Colorado to be with him. While there he made the most of every minute creating priceless memories he carried with him long after. His dad passed away the week after we returned. Brian talked with me many times reflecting back on that time in Colorado and how much it meant to him and how glad he was that he went.
In February Brian's Uncle Craig passed away unexpectedly. His service was scheduled for a time that we were going to be in Las Vegas. Brian immediately contacted the airlines. When the airline refused to let him change the ones he had purchased he contacted another airline and bought new tickets, changed hotel dates, car rental and anything else that needed to be so we could attend the service. It was important to him and he did what he needed no matter the cost.
Brian was a Donor. I was notified that in his Death he helped Save the Life or improve the health of 77 people.

Since 2018 Brian and Robin spent time relaxing on Gull Lake in Nisswa, MN, taking road trips camping in their Winnebago Motorhome, and traveling. We traveled to The Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, Florida 3X, Atlanta, California 3X, Chicago and as recent as February Brian surprised me for Valentines with a trip for week at The Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. I am so grateful to have been able to do all these things with him. I am so glad we did all that we did. I will cherish every precious moment I had with him. Every where I go Brian there you will be.

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