Walter Edward Craig 1915 - 2002

CRAIG, SMITH, LAMAAK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/17/2013 at 21:19:30

18 December 2002

Walter Edward Craig, 87, long-time Anthon resident died Saturday December 7, 2002 at his residence.

Funeral mass was held Tuesday December 10,10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Anthon with Rev. Bill Schreiber officiating and Rev. Dan Dorsey, Rev. Doug Klein, and Rev. Robert Graalap concelebrating. Bonita Kane served as organist with Jim Rusch and Virginia Cunningham as vocalist.

Pallbearers were Larry Boyle, Bill Craig, Scott Anderson, Rick Crilly, Pat Boyle, Pat Craig, and Joseph DeRozza. Honorary Pallbearers were Jennifer Craig, Kathy Anderson, Jill Boyle, Laura Craig, Kim Anderson, and Tricia Boyle.

Interment was in the Danbury-Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Armstrong Funeral Service. A vigil wake service and rosary was held Monday evening at the Armstrong Chapel in Anthon.

Walter E. Craig was born on a family farm near Danbury, Iowa on January 23, 1915, the son of John and Mary (Smith) Craig. He attended school at St. Patrick's Academy in Danbury and country school. He farmed the family farm until 1946. On June 1, 1944, he married Annabelle Lamaak at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. He and his brother, Tom, ran Craig's Tavern in Anthon from 1946 to 1966. He then worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation until retirement.

He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Anthon. He was a self-taught musician who enjoyed singing, playing guitar and piano and played in a small band for several years. He enjoyed gardening, watching baseball, and visiting with friends and family. Until recent years he greatly enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Survivors include Annabelle, his wife of 58 years; two sons, Brother Dennis (Jim) of Cincinnati, OH, and Robert (Bob) and his wife, Linda, of Cherokee, IA; two daughters, MaryAnn and her husband, Pat Boyle of Vermillion, SD, and Aggie and her husband Joseph DeRozza, of Omaha, NE; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his four brothers; six sisters; and three grandsons, Michael and John Boyle and James Craig.