Emerson David Craig, age 79, of Arborwood Ct., Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin died Saturday, July 14, 2012 after a courageous battle with dementia.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friendship, Wisconsin. Father James P. McNamee will officiate. Interment will be at the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, Friendship, Wisconsin. Military Honors will be presented at the graveside service by the Adams County Honor Guard.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home. The Knights of Columbus will have a rosary Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:45 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass.
Emerson was born August 28, 1932 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Emerson David and Mary (Trzcinski) Craig. He attended P.J. Jacobs High School and went to the Whitewater State College to earn a B.S. Degree. Emerson took a zig-zag route between high school and his teaching career. This included enlisting in the Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War, and working in various jobs. His teaching career began in Port Wing, WI and then at the Adams-Friendship High School for 28 plus years, where he taught Business Education and was advisor for the Year Book.
He never owned a car until he was 40 years old and found himself a bride 26 miles north in Wisconsin Rapids. Helen Schenk, a widow and Emerson were married at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin on December 16, 1972. Helen, a strong Catholic, encouraged him to join her church which he did gladly. Father Rucki of St. Lawrence in Wisconsin Rapids helped Emerson prepare to enter the church and Don “Doc” and Arlene Lamoureaux, became his Godparents.
Emerson knew and admired Fr. Comoretto of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Adams whom he called “the most dedicated priest anyone could ever know.” Emerson served there on the Parish Council and launched the Knights of Columbus Chapter initially signing 46 men to join. He has served in all the leadership posts, including Grand Knight, District Deputy, delegate to the Supreme Convention, member of the 3rd Degree team, and the Monsignor Redding 4th Degree assembly.
Throughout his life Emerson has been a natural salesman par excellence. Raffle tickets, bike-a-thons, fundraisers for charitable causes, Tootsie-Roll sales, etc. In December, he was Santa Claus to the residents of Adams-Friendship for many years.
Emerson was a member of the Diocese Lay Ministry class and completed the Leader of Prayer program. Because he was so well known to so many parishioners, in Adams-Friendship, he often was asked to deliver eulogies and lead prayers and rosary services at funerals.
He was also a big Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Brewer fan.
Emerson was preceded in death by his parents, Emerson David and Mary Craig; and two brothers, Ronald and Howard Craig.
Emerson is survived by his wife, Helen Craig of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; sister, Lois Craig of San Diego, California; brother, Raymond Craig of Chicago, Illinois; and Helen’s children: Jean Zieher, Roger Schenk, Marjorie Wettstein all of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; and Carol O’Connor of Albuquerque, NM. Also surviving are Helen’s three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Knights of Columbus for seminarians to become Priests.
Just found out about this site and wanted to say that he was a great typing teacher and a great person overall as how he cared about everyone. He will be sadly missed.
No one knew you were a proud veteran of the Marine Corp…only assumed you were what you were for too many other reasons.
Like any great piece of literature, your influence in what’s left of this world is timeless. You were what God intended all of us to be: one of a kind, ageless, a perfect repersentation of what it means to be HUMAN. Semper Fi!
HAUS
My sincere sympathy to Mr. Craig’s family. He was my typing and accounting teacher in AF High. He inspired me to follow that path in my career with just a slight change. Due to my going to college for accounting I became a business analyst programmer that has sustained my family for decades. I truly have Mr. Craig to thank for inspiring me. Such a wonderful man.
We just heard of Mr. Craigs passing. We both knew him from high school (classes of 77 and 88)… and we would like to send our thoughts and prayers to his family.
Sorry for your loss..He was a great typing teacher in High school..
Mr. Craig was my typing teacher and I also had him for bookeeping. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the Craig family. May your memories bring you comfort at this time.
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Craig’s passing. I had him for typing in HS and have him to thank for the great tping skills that I have today. You and your family are in my prayers.
I read all the previous post about Emerson, how great of a man to touch so many people in so many ways. If we all could take something of how Emerson lived his live and touch a fraction of the people he influence this world would be a better place. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to the community that has lost a friend.
Mr. Craig was a great guy, he was the teacher but more thought of as a friend.
There will never be another individual like him! He left an honored legacy behind.
Mr. Craig was one of my favorite teachers during my time at AF High. It was also a privilege performing with him with Sand Castle Players. He was a good friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time of great loss. He was a wonderful teacher! I am glad I knew him.
Mr. Craig was a good teacher and a patient man.
I am sorry for your loss.
Emerson was a great man. I’m honored to say I knew him. He will be missed. My condolences to the family, especially you, Helen
Mr. Craig was instrumental in my HS education. He was a wonderful person who was willing to do whatever it took to help another succeed. I have thought of him often, and it is my loss that I never told him personally what he meant to me. My condolences to his family.
I recall being so excited to finally be able to take bookkeeping with him and getting the electric typewriters at school. Mr. Craig was a respectful and kind teacher. He has left this world a better place by touching so many lives -God’s grace to his soul and his family.
Deeply sorry for your loss. God bless your family and loved ones.
Helen; The news of Emerson’s passing has reached all the way down south into the Carolina’s to this alumni of ole A-F (Class of 77). My thoughts and prayers go out to you and his extended family. Emerson was a captivating personality and everyone who passed through the doors of the high school knew and appreciated him. He could always make you smile now matter what we may have been dealing with in life. May God grant him peace and rest as all the joys of this life and life everlasting flow over him with the fondest of memories and thoughts.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mr. Craig’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and all his many friends. I was one of the many students at A-F who were taught by Mr. Craig and am very grateful for that.
I always enjoyed Mr. Craig in high school and beyone. I have fond memories of typing and the plays that he always seemed to appear in. It was great to see him support students. After high school I was impressed with his helping during the services for my parents, grandma, and grand parents. May you rest in peace. Our thoughts are with all.
Mr. Craig was the best teacher I had at A-F. I enjoyed both typing, back when it was manual typewriters and electrics sharing the room and at semester, you switched, and then bookkeeping. Both talents I still use regularly. Our year in bookkeeping class was the year he got married….happiest man ever! Thank you, Helen.
So sorry to hear of Mr Craig’s passing. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers
Helen, I am Sorry for your loss. Emerson was a wonerful man, a great teacher and a wonderful friend he will be missed. Love and Prayers.
Helen,
As a former neighbor and student I am truly sorry to hear of Emmy’s passing. He was a great man. I will never forget the days of him passing out tootsie rolls to the neighbor kids and then telling me stories when I was in his accounting class of how I was a great student just like my mother than he had had in class many years before. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. He may be gone physically but he will live on in the hearts of those lives he touched.
Rest in Peace Mr. Craig.
So sorry to hear of Mr. Craig’s passing. He was typing teacher in High School. I will keep you (his family) in my prayers. Now he is at peace in a better place.
Mr. Craig was a great high school business teacher and a great neighbor. I enjoyed listening to his stories of being overseas and he will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family and my prayers are with you all.
Emmy was a sweet soul,a friend of my father’s and I’m sure he will be greatly missed. God Bless you Helen.
Emerson touched many lives with his friendship, humor, and generosity. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Helen, Emmy was a HUGE leader in our St. Joseph Church. His examples of Christian love and friendship as well as his good works live on in our parish and our community. He was the first lay person to become a communion minister. Through his encouragement, I followed him as the second one. Later, he studied for and became a Lay Minister. He encouraged me to do the same and I followed in his footsteps once again. Thank you for bringing him into the church!
He and you mean a lot to our family. When you two lived in A-F, we had so many good times together. I especially remember my mom, Gert, and Emmy and the fun things they pulled on each other. I also remember the wonderful friendship Emmy and you had with my Aunt Betty Keefe and Jerry. Karen and I will be there for you this evening and tomorrow. You and Emmy are in my thoughts and prayers. God be with you!
Sorry to hear of Mr. Craig’s passing. Learned to type this message because of him. Great memories of good, patient teacher, and a kind soul.
Mr. Craig was a teacher worth remembering. It seems like only yesterday I was in his Bookkeeping class. Our sympathy to his family.
Mr. Craig will be missed. You are in our thoughts.
Mr. Craig was my teacher for business subjects. He was a wonderful teacher who influenced many lives, as well as an asset to the entire community.
I am so sorry for the passing of Mr Craig. He was my typing and shorthand teacher. He was very well liked by his students. He will truely be missed. May God be with you and your families.
“Emmy” was a local icon in the Adams-Friendship area, as well as in the Dells. He was a teacher when I was in school and we also spent many memorable hours skiing at Skyline. The summers that I worked in the Dells, he was there cooking at Pier I – and made the best beer battered fish I have ever tasted…..he was certainly a good cook. He always treated us kids with kindness and we enjoyed him…there are so many fun stories that we shared. My deepest sympathy to you, Helen. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
So sorry for your loss. Emmy was a great guy and will be missed.
I remember Mr. Craig for all of fun stories that he told in class. He was a great teacher to. He taught my economics class and he made that course fasinating. I think he did know everyone. I’m sending my deepest sympathies to his wife and family.
I’m very sorry for your loss. I had Mr. Craig for typing & bookkeeping class. When I became ill & missed alot of school he not only asked about my health he also was more than willing to help me catch up on my bookkeeping class. Mr. Craig also was very nice to my 2 sons back when they were Alter boys. Rest in peace Mr. Craig.
Our deepest wishes of condolence to Helen and all the family. Emerson was so well-known, it would be impossible to list all the accomplishments in giving of himself to A-F. You can cherish the memories and know that there are so many who understand and care. God bless and Godspeed.
Emerson was one of the founding members of the Sand County Players, 35 years ago this summer. He appeared in many of the early musicals and revues presented on the courthouse steps and on the the stage at the base of the hill at Skyline. I remember him singing four-part harmony on “Sh Boom” and various barbershop quartet numbers, and especially enjoyed seeing him as Chief Sitting Bull in “Annie, Get Your Gun”. Emerson was a loved and valued member of our theater group and he is missed. Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
We are sorry for the loss of Mr. Craig. Sending our thoughts and prayers to the family.
So sorry to hear of Mr. Craig’s passing, he was my accounting teacher. Now I have a position in Accounting and owe all I know to the patient teacher that would help me through any question I had and ensure I understood all of the concepts. You will be greatly missed! My thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family during this difficult time.
I remember Mr. Craig from typing class, because of him I am a better typist he was always a very caring and loving man who will be deeply missed, my condolences goes out to his family Rest In Peace Mr. Craig, you will be greatly missed.
“simmer down class”…….my favorite Mr Craig saying. RIP
I still remember the layout of Mr. Craig’s classroom and learning how to type without looking at the keyboard. Never quite conquered the numbers across the top without a few looks!! My husband is a “hunt and peck” guy when it comes to keyboarding and several times I have told him that he should have been in Mr. Craig’s class. Drives me crazy when I watch him keyboard!! In later years my parents became good friends to Helen and Emerson so I kept in contact with Mr. Craig. He will be missed. Please let Helen know I am thinking about her during this difficult time. Peace be with you all.
My sympathy to Mr. Craig’s family. I remember him from high school and church. He was a great man who did a lot of wonderful things.
I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Craig’s passing. He was a great teacher and leader. He was well liked through school, church and the community. I have fond memories of him being very helpful, kind and ready to lend a hand. My sympathies to Mrs Craig and her family. May he Rest in Peace.
Helen, I am so sorry to learn of Mr. Craig’s passing. He was a good friend of my mother Betty Joyce. They shared a bond of both of them being a Marine. I never had Mr. Craig as a teacher but remember so well all that he did at the school for us kids. May you and your family find peace in the days ahead knowing that he is in the loving arms of our Lord. RIP Mr. Craig
Peggy (Joyce) Connell
So sad to hear of Mr. Craigs passing. He was a wonderful teacher and his patience with students nothing short of sainthood. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers with you all.
May God Hold Mr. Craig in His Loving Arms and Grant His Family Peace and Comfort. Mr. Craig was my bookkeeping and Gen. Business teacher, but what I remember him most for was for his direction in the All School Play “Father Knows Best” as well as Yearbook director. He made both fun and we learned at the same time. Thank You, Mr. Craig for sharing your life with us. ‘Til We Meet Again – May You Enjoy Heaven To The Fullest!
My sincere sympathy to all of Emmy’s family..He was a very kind and helpful person.My thoughts of Emmy is
of course at Skyline selling hotdogs, bbq’s, etc.There are so few of us left to carry on the stories. However the younger generation will carry on long after the remainder of us meet all our old friends again.
My sincere sympathy, Helen, and to all the family..Irene Rathermel
Great teacher with a lot of patience. Always had a smile and spent countless hours helping students. I hope my typing holds up to his high standard.
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Craig tried so hard with each and every student he had. Some teachers you can just never forget and he was one of the Great ones! Rest in Peace Mr. Craig.
Deepest Sympathy. Mr. Craig had a kind heart and was a fun teacher.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Craig would always talk & say “hi”. Always had a very kind heart. May the Lord bring you Peace, during this time.
Emerson was one of my “typing” teachers. He put a lot into his teaching years and service to the community. My sympathy to you all.
So sorry on your loss. May God comfort you.
I am so sorry fror your loss. I knew Mr Craig from typing class but my Mom and him grew up together in Stevens Point. He used to come to the Old Sky Line Bar and Mom and Mr Craig would talk about growing up in Point. Mr Craig was a great teacher . He had such a good heart. Always there to help anyone is just one of the many good things I will remember about him. May God watch over you now and forever.. REST IN PEACE MR CRAIG….GODS SPEED
I’m so sorry for your loss he was my high school teacher.