Craig Eskelsen 1949-2012

ESKELSEN JOHNSON WELLIVER

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/23/2012 at 19:44:43

Mapleton Press
September 12, 2012

Craig Eskelsen, age 63, of Blencoe passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, at the James Cancer Center of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

Craig was born Feb. 17, 1949, in Onawa to Page and Nola (Johnson) Eskelsen. He graduated from East Monona High School in 1967, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Education from Iowa State University in 1971.

Craig and Lois Welliver were united in marriage on June 29, 1970 in Moorhead. To this union, three children were born.

Following college, he taught at Mapleton High School for one year. He then began working as a bookkeeper at the Blencoe Farmer’s Coop, which later became the Western Iowa Coop, and worked his way up to being a grain merchandiser.

He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Onawa, served on the Foundation Board of Burgess Health Center in Onawa, supported the Onawa Community Players, served as a volunteer at the Blencoe Fire Department, and served on the Blencoe City Council. He greatly enjoyed fishing, golfing, and playing cards with friends.

Craig is survived by his wife, Lois of Blencoe; three children, Mida Lehtinen and husband Tedd of Omaha, Neb., Eric Eskelsen and wife Jen Samson of Manchester, Mo., and Jill Berg and husband Jeff of Sloan; three grandchildren, Eli and Anna Lehtinen, Jeremiah Berg, and one on the way; his mother, Nola Eskelsen of Moorhead; a brother, Joel Eskelsen and wife Joyce of Unicoi, Tenn.; an aunt, Ardis Seitzinger; an uncle, Carroll Johnson and wife Jeanne; and numerous cousins and nieces.

Craig was preceded in death by his father, Page; his father and mother-in-law, Dale and Adah Welliver, and many aunts and uncles.

A memorial service was held 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Onawa with Pastor Carla Johnsen officiating. Music selections included “When I Get Where I’m Going,” “Jesus Loves Me,” and “Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone” with Sam Johnson as soloist and Deb Lauritsen as organist.

Private family burial will be at a later date.

Visitation was held at the church Saturday, Sept. 8, from 9 a.m. until service time. Arrangements were under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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